Costco Canada drew mixed reactions when it increased its membership fees in 2024, but how much do Canadians pay compared to shoppers worldwide?
According to the company’s December 2024 sales report, published this month, the warehouse chain now operates 897 locations internationally and reported global net sales of US$27.52 billion in December 2024.
As the retailer expands, we examined the membership cost in all 14 countries where Costco operates. Daily Hive made a similar comparison in August 2024, but membership prices and the types and numbers of membership tiers have changed since.
Even though the Gold Star membership increased from C$60 to C$65 and the Executive membership went up from C$120 to C$130 in 2024, membership fees at Costco Canada are certainly not the priciest compared to other countries.
The most expensive Costco Executive membership is in the US at US$130 (C$186.46) per year, while a Gold Star membership in Mexico costs 600 Mexican pesos (C$41.98). However, the online shopping membership option for UK shoppers is even more affordable, at just £15 (C$26.37) annually.
Scroll on to see how other countries compare.
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Number of locations: 109
Executive: C$130
Gold Star: C$65
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Number of locations: 617
Executive: US$130 (C$186.46)
Gold Star: US$65 (C$93.22)
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Number of locations: 41
Executive: 1,200 Mexican pesos (C$83.97)
Gold Star: 600 Mexican pesos (C$41.98)
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Number of locations: One
Corporate: 3,800 Icelandic króna (C$38.80)
Membership with a license to resell alcohol: 3,800 Icelandic króna (C$38.80)
Annual membership: 4,800 Icelandic króna (C$49.01)
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Number of locations: Five
Business affiliation: 25 Euros (C$36.99)
Gold Star: 30 Euros (C$44.38)
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Number of locations: One
Corporate: 500 Swedish krona (C$64.47)
Gold star: 500 Swedish krona (C$64.47)
Wine and spirits: 500 Swedish krona (C$64.47)
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Number of locations: Two
Privilege: 36 Euros (C$53.26)
Business: 36 Euros (C$53.26)
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Number of locations: 29
Trade executive: £67.20 (C$118.15)
Individual executive: £74.40 (C$130.81)
Trade: £26.40 (C$46.41)
Individual: £33.60 (C$59.07)
Annual subscription (online shopping only): £15 (C$26.37)
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Number of locations: 15
Executive: AUD$130 (C$116.16)
Gold Star: AUD$65 (C$58.08)
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Number of locations: One
Gold Star: NZ$60 (C$48.46)
Business: NZ$55 (C$44)
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Number of locations: 36
Executive: ¥9,900 (C$90.78)
Gold Star: ¥4,840 (C$44.38)
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Number of locations: 19
Business: 33,000 South Korean won (C$32.54)
Executive Business: 80,000 South Korean won (C$78.89)
Gold Star: 38,500 South Korean won (C$37.96)
Executive Gold Star: 80,000 South Korean won (C$78.87)
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Number of locations: Seven
Business: US$55 (C$78.83)
Gold Star: US$55 (C$78.83)
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Number of locations: 14
Gold Star: 1,350 New Taiwan dollars (C$58.76)
Executive Gold Star: 3,000 New Taiwan dollars (C$130.58)
Business: 1,150 New Taiwan dollars (C$50.06)
Executive Business: 3,000 New Taiwan dollars (C$130.58)