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: brewbookshawaii

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. “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?!

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

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

  6. 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.

  7. Bellingham Costco is probably the most crowded, stupid Canadians come across the border because it’s cheaper than there own Costco….so dumb

  8. Well said “stupid Canadians”. Sounds like words from an educated person that has not given this very much thought. Costco south of our border is cheaper for the most part. Trust me I watch prices. Us stupid Canadians are contributing to the Bellingham retail profits overall which is a good thing for your economy. I don’t live in in Vancouver to commute into Bellingham but I did purchase a car there a few years back. You’re welcome. I go to the Kalispell Montana Costco when I have the opportunity to head south and the folks in that city are fabulous. You should learn to be grateful of the friendship we share on both sides of the border.

  9. You drive the prices of everything up, drive with no regard to road laws, leave trash all over our parking lots, are rude in stores, And ruin the comforts of being in your own town. Don’t act like you’re helping me by buying cheaper goods for yourself, it does nothing for me…. And good for you buying a car, hopefully you’re one of the few who actually drives decently.

  10. Things have gotten worse here since 2010 imho. I commend the people that have to work at this Costco. Something about the crowdedness turns many customers into barbarians, including me 🙁 There is no such thing as a “not busy” time to shop here.
    Honolulu is just plain overcrowded and driving to another Costco in Oahu’s ridiculous traffic will defeat the purpose of avoiding a crowd.

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