Hawaii's Industrial Supermarket Established in 1961 by Robert Cosco, this versatile family business has grown into one of Hawaii's most highly-respected and resourceful industry specialty suppliers. Now located on 4 of the major islands, Cosco has more than 35 employees and 50,000 square feet of warehouse space. When Robert Cosco established the family company over 50 years ago, he envisioned it as "an industrial supermarket," a philosophy which has carried over into the present-day operations, supervised by his children: daughters Bobbie Cosco, CEO; and Cynthia Tavares, President; and son Matt Cosco, VP-Sales. "Dad designed a self-service store," says COSCO CEO, Bobbie Cosco. It was patterned after the modern grocery store and referred to as "an industrial supermarket." That is one of the many things that make COSCO unique. It just doesn't look or feel like a wholesale store. It has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, well-stocked shelves, and a staff that knows the company's products and understands the needs of its customers.