Content about Costco

May 9, 2013

Costco sales grew 7% in April over April 2012, the club retailer said.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp.'s sales grew 7% in April over April 2012, the club retailer said Thursday.

Costco reported sales of $7.98 billion for the four weeks that ended Sunday, compared with $7.48 billion during the same period last year. Sales for the 35-week period that ended Sunday were $69 billion, 9% higher than the $63.59 billion recorded last year.

Sales in the United States at continuously open stores since last April increased by 4%, while same-store sales for the 35 weeks that ended Sunday increased 6%.

May 9, 2013

Costco offers travel packages to members

Costco Wholesale is touting its latest offering to members: its own travel agency.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. is touting its latest offering to members: its own travel agency.

Costco Connection, the club retailer's monthly member magazine, featured on the cover a profile of Costco Travel, which offers travel packages to destinations ranging from Hawaii and Las Vegas to Europe and Tahiti.

April 22, 2013

Costco employee injured in Boston attack has insurance, company says

In one of the most disturbingly iconic images to emerge from the recent terrorist attack in Boston, a runner who lost both legs in the blast is shown being rushed away by wheelchair.

NEW YORK — In one of the most disturbingly iconic images to emerge from the recent terrorist attack in Boston, a runner who lost both legs in the blast is shown being rushed away by wheelchair.

That runner, it turns out, is 27-year-old Costco Wholesale employee Jeff Bauman of New Hampshire. Following reports that Bauman was uninsured, based on comments a relative had made to a reporter, Costco took to Twitter to remind readers that he does, in fact, have insurance through the company.

April 22, 2013

NACDS Foundation announces five new board members

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation announced the election of five new members to its board of directors.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Today, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation announced the election of five new members to its board of directors. Victor Curtis, SVP pharmacy of Costco Wholesale; Jon Giacomin, president of U.S. pharmaceutical distribution for the pharmaceutical group of Cardinal Health; John Poulin, director of professional relations of Lilly USA; Todd Tillemans, president of customer development at Unilever; and Richard Tremonte, VP sales and marketing of the U.S.

April 21, 2013

Bricks imitate clicks imitate bricks to catch attention, wallet share of omnichannel shopper

According to research, ownership of smartphones and tablets in particular have grown rapidly over the past couple of years, and that has created a multi-headed omnichannel hydra of a customer who retailers across all channels are desperately trying to appease.

April 17, 2013

Costco, IRI update Costco CRX program

Costco and IRI announced Wednesday that they will change a program that the club retailer describes as a single, global solution for category, point-of-sale and supply chain tracking, as well as extend the program to Mexico.

CHICAGO — Costco and IRI announced Wednesday that they will change a program that the club retailer describes as a single, global solution for category, point-of-sale and supply chain tracking, as well as extend the program to Mexico.

April 11, 2013

Costco reports 7% sales increase for March

Club retailer Costco Wholesale announced sales grew by 7% in March compared with March 2012, the company said.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Club retailer Costco Wholesale announced Thursday sales grew by 7% in March compared with March 2012, the company said.

Costco reported net sales for the month of $9.67 billion, compared with $9.07 billion during the same period last year.

For the 31-week period that ended on Sunday, sales were $61.02 billion, an 8% increase over the same period last year, when sales were $56.34 billion.

The Issaquah, Wash.-based chain currently operates 626 stores, including 449 in the United States.

April 11, 2013

Reports: Costco co-founder to be honored at entrepreneurship awards ceremony

An awards celebration this fall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City will honor the co-founder of Costco Wholesale, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — An awards celebration this fall at the University of Missouri-Kansas City will honor the co-founder of Costco Wholesale Corp., according to published reports.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that Jim Sinegal, who retired as the club retailer's CEO in January 2012, would be among the honorees of the university's 28th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebration.

Sinegal founded Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco together with Jeff Brotman in 1983. The company now operates 626 stores, including 449 in the United States.

April 8, 2013

Reports: Costco looks to develop e-commerce in China

Costco Wholesale appears to be eyeing China's online commerce market, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Costco Wholesale appears to be eyeing China's online commerce market, according to published reports.

The Southern Metropolis Daily, a newspaper based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, reported Thursday that the Issaquah, Wash.-based club retailer was interested in entering the country's e-commerce market and was in the process of looking for local partners.

April 5, 2013

Costco magazine's April issue embeds digital watermarks in articles, ads

Starting this month, the more than 8.6 million readers of Costco Wholesale's member magazine will be able to use smartphones and tablets to scan more than 50 digital watermarks included in articles and ads.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Starting this month, the more than 8.6 million readers of Costco Wholesale's member magazine will be able to use smartphones and tablets to scan more than 50 digital watermarks included in articles and ads.

March 19, 2013

Sam's Club and Amazon rank top among customers in terms of experience

Based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers, Sam's Club and Amazon earned the top spots in the retail sector of the "2013 Temkin Experience Ratings," the Temkin Group announced Tuesday.

WABAN, Mass. — Based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers, Sam's Club and Amazon earned the top spots in the retail sector of the "2013 Temkin Experience Ratings," the Temkin Group announced Tuesday.

Six additional retailers were in the top 20 overall, including Costco, which was tied for the No. 13 spot with Nordstrom. Four retailers tied for the No. 20 spot, including BJs Wholesale, Dollar Tree, PetSmart and Walgreens. Thirty-six out of the 44 retailers in the study earned a "good" or "excellent" rating.

March 15, 2013

Reports: Costco to expand headquarters

Costco Wholesale will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Costco Wholesale Corp. will expand its Issaquah, Wash., headquarters, according to published reports.

The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce reported Friday that Issaquah's director of economic development, Keith Niven, said the club retailer would expand the headquarters to take up as much as 1.5 million square feet.

The Tacoma, Wash., News Tribune reported that the company currently takes up three buildings that are full.

March 12, 2013

Costco sees sales, profits rise in second quarter

Costco Wholesale increased sales by 8% to $24.34 billion in the second quarter of 2013, the club retailer said.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale increased sales by 8% to $24.34 billion in the second quarter of 2013, the club retailer said Tuesday.

Sales for the first half of the fiscal year were $47.55 billion, a 9% increase over the first half of fiscal year 2012. The company's U.S. business had same-store sales of 5% for the quarter and 6% for the first half of the year, while profits were $547 million, compared with $394 million last year. Profits for the first half of the year were $963 million, compared with $714 million last year.

March 7, 2013

Costco February sales beat analyst estimates

Costco's sales increased 8% to $7.58 billion in February, the club retailer said.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp.'s sales increased 8% to $7.58 billion in February, the club retailer said Thursday.

For the 26-week period that ended Sunday, the chain reported sales of $51.35 billion, a 9% increase over February 2012. Comps for the company's U.S. stores increased 6% during the month and also during the past 26-week period.

March 6, 2013

Costco backs minimum wage increase

Costco Wholesale is throwing its support behind a bill introduced in Congress to raise the federal minimum wage.

WASHINGTON — Club retailer Costco Wholesale is throwing its support behind a bill introduced in Congress Tuesday to raise the federal minimum wage.

February 26, 2013

Rite Aid tops drug chains in customer satisfaction, as Publix, Target, Costco lead among supermarkets, mass, clubs

Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

A report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Rite Aid at the top among drug store chains, with a score of 77, a 3% improvement over last year. Walgreens gained 1%, for a score of 76, while CVS ranked 75, a 3% gain. The survey noted that CVS hit a low two years ago due to cost-cutting efforts.

February 25, 2013

Costco offers Aetna insurance to members in Florida

Health insurer Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in Florida, the insurer said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Health insurer Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in Florida, the insurer said.

The Costco Personal Health Insurance program includes five plans and offers medical benefits, dental options, a network of doctors and hospitals and other services, as well as lower copays on prescriptions at the club retailer's pharmacies.

February 15, 2013

Costco sued over diamond engagement rings

Jewelry maker Tiffany & Co. is suing Costco Wholesale, alleging that the club retailer falsely marketed diamond engagement rings as coming from the New York-based jeweler, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Jewelry maker Tiffany & Co. is suing Costco Wholesale, alleging that the club retailer falsely marketed diamond engagement rings as coming from the New York-based jeweler, according to published reports.

News media reported that Tiffany filed suit against Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco in the Federal District Court in Manhattan.

February 14, 2013

Reports: Buffett, Lemann buy H.J. Heinz; Buffett investment group increases Costco holding

The investment groups of billionaires Warren Buffett and Jorge Paulo Lemann will buy H.J. Heinz for about $23 billion, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The investment groups of billionaires Warren Buffett and Jorge Paulo Lemann will buy H.J. Heinz for about $23 billion, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and Lemann's 3G Capital would buy the condiment maker for $72.50 per share, and the deal includes $12 billion to $13 billion from Buffett's group. Heinz also owns the Ore-Ida potato chip brand.

February 7, 2013

Costco total sales, comps rise in January

Costco's sales increased 7% in January compared with January 2012, the club retailer said.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp.'s sales increased 7% in January compared with January 2012, the club retailer said Thursday.

Costco reported sales for the five weeks that ended Sunday of $9.35 billion, compared with $8.74 billion a year ago. The month was one day shorter than last year due to the timing of the New Year holiday, which reduced total and same-store sales by about 2%, the company said. Comps in U.S. stores were up by 6%.

February 5, 2013

Reports: Costco food courts to switch to Pepsi

Costco will replace Coke with Pepsi at its in-store lunch counters, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Costco will replace Coke with Pepsi at its in-store lunch counters, according to published reports.

Costco will start selling Pepsi instead of Coca-Cola products at its food courts starting in April, news media reported. Stores in two of its eight regions already had switched to Pepsi. The company has long sold a $1.50 hot dog-and-soda combination meal at its stores.

According to reports, the switch was not related to a dispute between Costco and Coca-Cola in 2009, when the club retailer temporarily stopped carrying Coke products in its stores.

January 30, 2013

Costco offers Aetna insurance to California members

Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in California, the health insurer said.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in California, the health insurer said.

The Costco Personal Health Insurance program includes five plans and offers broad medical benefits, dental options and a large network of doctors and hospitals. The program also is available to members of the club retailer in Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Aetna plans to expand the program to other markets in the coming months.

January 25, 2013

Retailers stand to benefit from Made-in-America wave

Walmart recently announced that it would source $50 billion of the products sold in its stores in the United States over the next 10 years, according to a report in USA Today.

"Be American; buy American" has long been a slogan that makes buying U.S.-made goods sound nothing less than patriotic because it helps create American jobs, much like CVS' initiatives to create jobs for veterans, and the recent Made-in-USA fervor around the country has more than demonstrated that. But there are practical reasons for sourcing domestically as well, making it high time for retailers to start looking into putting more products with the "Made in USA" label on their shelves.

Walmart recently announced that it would source $50 billion of the products sold in its stores in the United States over the next 10 years, according to a report in USA Today.

January 18, 2013

Costco launches PBM

Costco has entered the pharmacy benefit management business, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Costco has entered the pharmacy benefit management business, according to published reports.

In an article in the January 2013 issue of Costco Connection magazine, the club warehouse retailer is promoting the new PBM, Costco Health Solutions, to small business owners. Pharmaceutical industry consultant Adam Fein noted on his blog, Drug Channels, that Costco was seeking to emulate the tactics already used by CVS Caremark, Walgreens and Walmart to drive prescription growth.

January 18, 2013

Costco's new PBM: It's all about differentiation

Costco announced in its January 2013 magazine that it would begin offering pharmacy benefit management services, targeting small businesses and highlighting a 200-employee company based in Washington state.

It remains to be seen whether the club retailer's efforts to compete with the existing PBM businesses of companies like CVS Caremark, Walgreens and Walmart will be successful, and analysts like Citi's Deborah Weinswig appear skeptical that they will. But whatever the outcome, it's clear that Costco is looking to compete in a bigger way.