January net sales at Costco Wholesale Corp. reached $21.33 billion, up from $19.51 billion year over year, as comparable sales increased across the business.
Comparable sales for the month rose 6.8% in the United States, excluding the impact of gasoline prices and foreign exchange. Canada posted an 8.2% increase, while other international markets grew 2.7%, driving a 6.4% companywide comp gain. Digitally enabled comps increased 33.1%.
In a conference call, Costco noted that comp traffic was up 2.2% in the U.S. Comparable store sales, by region, were strongest in the Midwest, Southeast and Texas. By merchandising category, Nonfoods gained in the low double digits with jewelry, tires and majors leading. Food and Sundries were up in the mid single digits, and Fresh Foods also was up in the mid single digits.
Costco operates 924 warehouse clubs including 634 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 114 in Canada, 42 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland and New Zealand. The company operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.
