ISSAQUAH, Wash., Sep 11, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: COST) reported today that its retail warehouses in North America will remain open during their regular hours of operation. Three of its locations in Brooklyn, Queens and Lawrence, New York and one in Pentagon City, Virginia were forced to close due to the transportation problems facing those areas in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon earlier today. Otherwise, the Company has decided to observe its normal hours of operation throughout the world.

"The tragic events in New York and Washington, DC, are unprecedented in our Nation's history", explained Costco Wholesale CEO Jim Sinegal, "and we recognize that some of our colleagues in the retail industry have chosen to close their operations in response to these events. However, we also recognize that the goods we supply are viewed by many of our members as essential to their well-being, including food, prescriptions and other pharmaceuticals, as well as other supplies and equipment. Our members have told us in times of natural disasters, earthquakes, and other disruptive events, that our decision to remain operational was a convenience and comfort to them. For this reason, until further notice, or until we receive other instructions from governmental authorities in affected areas, we plan to observe our regular hours of operation."

CONTACT:          Costco Wholesale Corporation
                  Richard Galanti, 425/313-8203