Executive Change

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549   FORM 8-K   CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): November 25, 2019   COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   Washington   0-20355   91-1223280 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File No.)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 999 Lake Drive Issaquah , WA 98027 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 425 - 313-8100   Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   COST   NASDAQ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR § 240.12b-2). Emerging growth company   ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐     Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directions; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers. On November 25, 2019, John W. Meisenbach, who has been a member of the Board of Directors of Costco Wholesale Corporation for over thirty-six years, submitted a letter stating that he will not be standing for re-election as member of the Board when his current term expires, effective on commencement of the Company’s 2020 annual meeting. His decision is not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. The Company and its Board express their deepest gratitude to Mr. Meisenbach for his many years of dedicated service. 2 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized, on November 27, 2019. COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION       By:   /s/ Richard A. Galanti   Richard A. Galanti   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3