Costco in Mexico Confirms More Stores as Retail Sector BoomsThe Nuevo León location in General Escobedo municipality is set to become the largest Costco in Latin America
Costco in Mexico has confirmed it’s actively planning to expand across the country, responding to growing demand from customers asking when the membership-based chain might arrive in their cities.
The announcement came after Costco opened its newest location in Zapopan, Jalisco, known as San Isidro Norte. When customers flooded the company’s social media asking about expansion to other cities, Costco Mexico replied with news that sent waves of excitement through the retail community:
“Currently, the company is in expansion plans, and we are considering various cities for future openings. At the moment, we do not yet have official dates that we can share, but we invite you to check our news and active locations on our official web portal.”
The U.S.-based retailer operates 43 stores across 20 Mexican states. Construction has already begun on what will become stores 44 and 45, in Mexico City and Nuevo León respectively. The Nuevo León location in General Escobedo municipality is set to become the largest Costco in Latin America, spanning approximately 20,000 square meters (215,278 square feet).
Twelve Mexican states still lack Costco presence: Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Durango, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala and Zacatecas. Several of these regions have expressed strong interest in attracting the warehouse giant to their territories.
The expansion announcement comes during a retail boom across Mexico. The Mexican retail industry is thriving, driven by a growing middle class, increased urbanization, and rising disposable incomes, according to a recent market analysis. With a market size of 94.40 million in 2025, the industry is projected to expand at a robust CAGR of 5.00% through 2033.
Costco CEO Ron Vachris outlined the retailer’s growth strategy during a recent analyst conference. “We see significant opportunities in Canada and Mexico, which have been strong markets for us. We also continue to see potential in Europe and Asia”, he said. Mexico, currently the company’s third-largest market with 41 locations, plays a key role in this strategy.
The company plans to maintain its aggressive expansion pace globally. Vachris described the 30-store-per-year target as realistic, reflecting the company’s confidence in its membership-based retail model.
For residents of the Yucatán Peninsula, Costco’s presence is already well-established. Mérida’s branch stands out as perhaps the world’s most unique Costco, featuring a natural cenote in its parking lot. The sinkhole, named Ka Kutzal, was discovered during construction and preserved as an attraction rather than filled in. The new, larger Costco replaced the original downtown location 10 years ago.
Mexico’s retail expansion extends beyond Costco. Walmart announced a $6 billion investment to add 1,500 stores across Mexico and Central America by 2030. Approximately 15 new shopping malls are set to open by the end of 2025, with two additional projects scheduled for 2026, according to Mexico Business News.
The retail sector’s growth reflects broader economic trends. Rising consumer confidence and increased purchasing power have created fertile ground for warehouse-style retailers like Costco, which offer bulk purchasing and membership benefits.
Costco’s membership model has proven particularly successful in Mexico, where the company serves 5.7 million members. Annual membership costs 450 pesos ($25) for a Gold Star membership or 1,000 pesos ($55) for an Executive membership that includes cash-back rewards.
While Costco hasn’t released specific timelines for new store openings, the company advised customers to monitor its official website for updates. The retailer’s expansion strategy appears focused on serving Mexico’s growing urban centers and emerging middle-class markets.
The announcement reinforces Mexico’s position as a key growth market for international retailers, driven by demographic shifts and increasing consumer spending power across the country’s diverse regions.
Yucatán Magazine has the inside scoop on living here. Sign up to get our top headlines delivered to your inbox every week.
