Warehouse club operator Costco has highlighted Asia as a key growth region.

In Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, Costco said it has the capacity to trade from 100 stores.

In Australia, where it opened its first store in August, the warehouse club operator believe it can reach 20 stores. As a result, Costco expects to open 15 to 20 stores globally in its 2010 financial year, up to 20 in both 2011 and 2012, and more than 25 in both 2013 and 2014.

Separately, the retailer opened its first Manhattan store last week.