Costco eyes broader India tech footprint as AI bets grow
COST•Costco sees room to expand its technology presence in India beyond Hyderabad, where its global capability centre has more than 70 employees and is expected to grow to several hundred over five to six years. AI has delivered productivity gains of up to 60% in some technology projects.
1. India technology expansion
Costco plans to grow its technology presence in India beyond Hyderabad as it accelerates international growth, chief information and digital officer Javier Polit said. The Hyderabad centre, Costco’s first global capability centre, supports global operations and is expected to grow from more than 70 employees to several hundred over the next five to six years; Polit gave no specific hiring target.
2. AI and workforce plans
AI has delivered productivity gains of up to 60% in some technology projects, Polit said. Costco is building tools in India for global use, including a Hyderabad-developed geofencing tool to identify customers approaching stores and speed check-in and checkout. The centre will also support data and analytics, business software and digital advertising. Costco expects employees to make up about 75% of its technology workforce over time, compared with roughly an even split between employees and contractors today.
