Costco Wholesale Corp. posted net sales of $24.5 billion for its fiscal October versus $21.75 billion in the year-prior month as solid U.S. comparable sales got a lift from housewares.
With the effects of gasoline and foreign exchange volatility excluded, comparable sales advanced 7.3% year over year, with operations in the United States up 8.1%, those in Canada up 3.5% and those in other international markets up 6.9%, the company reported. Comps for digitally enabled sales, excluding foreign exchange effects, were up 22.6% from the month a year prior.
Comp traffic increased 3.8% year over year in the U.S., Costco noted.
By region, October comps sales were strongest in San Diego, Los Angeles and the Midwest. As for merchandising departments, Non-Foods were up high single digits with gift cards, sporting goods and housewares strongest. Food and Sundries were up mid single digits, while Fresh Food comps grew in the mid to high single digits.
Costco operates 943 warehouse clubs, including 651 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 115 in Canada, 43 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. Costco operates e-commerce websites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and China.
