Costco ramps up for international growth.(Costco Companies Inc.)

ISSAQUAH, WASH. -- The only thing more impressive than Costco's 9% increase in domestic same-store sales in 2004 was the 14% rise in sales at its stores outside the United States, a performance that assured Costco its overseas markets are maturing and ripe for more growth.

With two stores already opened overseas and six more on the way the remainder of Costco's fiscal year 2005, it is shaping up to be a big year for international expansion--a trend likely to repeat over the next few years.

"We're probably looking at three or four a year [overseas] on the low side and seven or eight on the high side for the next several years," said vp of financial planning …