Costco Wholesale is continuing to scale its business-focused retail format nationwide, with the Costco Business Centre Canada expansion gaining momentum in recent months. The latest milestone comes with the opening of a new location in Winnipeg on March 27, marking the retailer’s 11th Business Centre in the country and its first in Manitoba.
The Winnipeg opening reflects a broader strategic push by Costco to build a national network of business-oriented warehouses that serve commercial customers alongside its traditional consumer base.
The newly opened Costco Business Centre Canada expansion site in Winnipeg is located at 1315 St. James Street and represents a 137,000-square-foot conversion of the retailer’s original warehouse, which operated at the site for 35 years.
That legacy store relocated to a larger facility at 4077 Portage Avenue West in late 2025, enabling Costco to redevelop the former site into a specialized business centre. The move follows a pattern seen across the country, where older warehouses are repurposed into this growing format.
The Winnipeg facility introduces the concept to Manitoba for the first time, extending Costco’s Business Centre presence into a fifth province.
A Distinct Format Built for Commercial Customers
As part of the Costco Business Centre Canada expansion, these locations are designed specifically for business operators such as restaurants, convenience stores, and offices. While all Costco members can shop at the Winnipeg location, the product assortment is tailored to commercial needs.
More than 70% of the inventory is unique compared to traditional Costco warehouses, with a focus on industrial-scale grocery items, professional kitchen equipment, and bulk office supplies. The Winnipeg site includes a 14,000-square-foot walk-in cooler and an indoor loading area to support high-volume purchasing.
Unlike standard Costco locations, business centres do not include consumer-oriented features such as food courts or optical departments, reinforcing their operational focus.
Delivery Infrastructure Expands Competitive Reach
A defining feature of the Costco Business Centre Canada expansion is its integrated delivery capability. The Winnipeg location operates a fleet of six trucks offering next-day delivery within a designated service area.
This logistics infrastructure enables Costco to compete more directly with traditional wholesale distributors by providing businesses with reliable access to bulk inventory without requiring frequent in-store visits.
Extended operating hours, including earlier weekday openings, further support the needs of commercial customers.
Rapid Growth Through Conversion Strategy
Costco’s recent expansion has been driven by a relocation and conversion strategy that allows the company to grow efficiently. In markets such as Winnipeg, East Gwillimbury, and New Westminster, Costco has opened new, larger consumer warehouses and then converted former locations into business centres within months.
This approach reduces capital investment while maximizing the utility of existing real estate. It also helps redistribute high-volume business customers away from traditional warehouses, easing congestion and improving the shopping experience across formats.
The pace of openings has accelerated significantly, with several new Business Centres launched across Canada between late 2025 and early 2026.
Building a National Business Centre Network
The Costco Business Centre Canada expansion began with a pilot location in Scarborough, Ontario, in 2017. Following strong performance, the company expanded into Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, and now Manitoba.
With 11 locations now operating nationwide, Costco has established a coast-to-coast presence for the format. This growth signals a long-term commitment to serving Canada’s small and medium-sized business community.
Strong Canadian Market Performance Supports Growth
Costco’s expansion comes amid strong performance in Canada, where the company has more than 17 million cardholders. Comparable-store sales in the country rose 10.1% in its most recent quarter, highlighting continued demand.
The Winnipeg Business Centre has created approximately 190 local jobs, contributing to regional economic activity. Across Canada, Costco employs more than 50,000 people, with its national headquarters located in Ottawa.
