James Sinegal

Sinegal came of age in San Diego, where his family settled during his childhood, and he attended San Diego State University before going to work in retail. He joined Fed-Mart, a San Diego discount chain founded by Sol Price, as a part-time employee and rose to executive vice president. That apprenticeship shaped his approach to retail: keep costs low, move goods quickly, and treat employees well enough to keep them productive and loyal.

After Fed-Mart, Sinegal worked as an executive at Price Club, the warehouse-club pioneer founded by Sol Price. In 1983 he left to co-found Costco Wholesale with Seattle lawyer Jeffrey Brotman, opening the first warehouse in Seattle. Costco sold bulk goods in spartan, members-only warehouses and charged an annual fee, a model that kept prices low and customer loyalty high. The company merged with Price Club in 1993 and later took the Costco name.

Sinegal served as Costco's CEO until 2012, when Craig Jelinek succeeded him. He remained on the board for several years after stepping down. As chief executive, he was known for a frugal personal style - a modest salary and no luxurious perks - and for arguing that Costco's relatively high wages and benefits reduced turnover and improved service. By the time he stepped down, Costco had become one of the world's largest retailers, with a membership model that helped change how Americans shopped for groceries and household goods.

James Sinegal was born on January 1, 1936 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. In Cardology (Destiny Cards), January 1, 1936 corresponds to the King of Spades, making the King of Spades his Birth Card.

In numerology, the name adds another layer to the birth-date profile. The letters of a person’s name are used to explore inner motivation, personality, expression, and the qualities they bring into relationships and everyday life. Explore how his original name James D. Sinegal influences his life and personality.