Costco is opening stand-alone gas stations a mile or two from its warehouses to address capacity constraints and scarce space. The first location opened in Southern California last month, with a second planned for Honolulu.

The new format aims to increase sales and membership value, according to Costco Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip. Members have requested faster checkouts, larger parking lots, and relief from busy gas stations.

"They're really intended to either alleviate some of the capacity constraints in the gas station that exists at the warehouse today or we just can't get a gas station on the same premises," Millerchip said.