In 1983, Costco Wholesale Corporation was established under the name “PriceCostco” and opened its first warehouse in Seattle, Washington. Only two years later, they went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange. They changed their name to Costco Companies, Inc. in 1997 and again renamed themselves to Costco Wholesale Corporation in 1999. In the span of eighteen years, the company extended its business into Canada, the United Kingdom, Asia, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Australia. Within their own warehouse chains, they have established their own pharmacy, fresh meat department, produce and bakery departments, Hearing Aid centers, gas stations, and many other goods and services. More recently, they have launched their e-commerce business via their website
