The Busiest Costco In The World: Iwilei (Oahu)

October 27, 2010

Think your neighborhood Costco is busy? Think again.

The largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States, Costco has over 570 stores in not just the U.S. but worldwide, including locations in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia.

Costco is the third largest retailer in the United States (behind Target and Wal-Mart) and the ninth largest in the world. So, out of all of its locations around the world, just which one is the busiest? The answer may surprise you.

While it is in the United States, the busiest Costco is located in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. The company actually has three stores on the island, but the one in Iwilei easily takes the title as the location that gets the most business.

Also the largest store out of the three in Oahu, the Iwilei Costco rakes in a lot more money than others, according to The Seattle Times.

While the average Costco warehouse rings up $129 million each year, the Costco in Iwilei posts $300 million in sales annually.

Why is this particular location so popular? Costco maintains that nearly one in every four island residents carries a Costco card from this store. On all of the island of Oahu, half the residents shop at Costco. The store is so busy that its entire inventory is gone about two times each month.

Have you been to the Iwilei Costco? What was your experience like?

Also, what do you think are some of the busier or more crowded Costco locations? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Image: brewbooks, hawaii

  • Tlkl808

    Store is very busy,but still maintains its cleanliness. Always a pleasure to shop at and the cell phone guys at this location are extremely fast and knowledgable. If you have any needs with your carrier I highly recommend them.

  • Bill Collins

    I moved to Oahu about a year ago, and although this Costco is busy, I was surprised to find out it’s the busiest of all!  It never seemed like anything but a standard busy Costco to me.  As an added bonus, their hot dog cafe is outside and has plenty of seating – and they get your food to you quickly!

  • http://www.facebook.com/BraddahKimo Kimo StJames

    “Think your neighborhood Costco is busy? “Yes, I do. I live in Honolulu and I understand our Iwilei costco is the busiest in america.
    “Think again.”
    uh. Why?!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/IKOWIWP54RLT6LYXO6VYKXPTD4 Yorah Buffoon

    The busiest Costco in North America in sales is the one in Northwest Edmonton, Alberta Canada.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/IKOWIWP54RLT6LYXO6VYKXPTD4 Yorah Buffoon

    Highest disposable income is located in Edmonton…The Alberta oilsands is booming and Edmonton is as well.

  • thenakedbusiness

    Yes, fast, efficient turnover in the Iwilei Costco and never seems that busy but very steady and heavy footfall all the time. We found the Costco in Taipei seemed a lot  busier – I assume it was just lower priced items per customer, narrower isles and a lot more SKU’s – Great to see that the Costco’s are starting the thrive in Australia. Went to the opening week of Costco in Melbourne a few years back and recently studied the Sydney and Canberra stores. A little slow in Canberra but it will pick up as membership grows.