Costco’s sales increased 17.9% from USD11.57 billion to USD13.64 billion for the four-week period ended January 31, 2021.

Comparable club sales (comps) increased 15.4% in the US, 15.2% in Canada, and 19.0% in other international markets for a total company increase of 15.9%. Excluding the effects of gasoline price changes and foreign exchange, comps increased 16.4% in the US, 12.2% in Canada, and 15.3% in other international markets for a total company increase of 15.7%.

• Average transaction increased 12.9% year over year.
• Comp traffic frequency increased 2.6% globally and, 5.1% in the US.
• Ecommerce comp sales reported an 106.7% increase for the period, 105.4% excluding the effects of gasoline and foreign exchange.
• The strongest-performing regions were the Texas, Midwest, and Southeast. Internationally, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea saw the strongest results. Foreign currency changes impacted January comp sales positively by 3.25% for Canada, 4.7% for other international markets, and 1.1% for the total company.

On a department basis, Costco reported the following comp results, excluding the effect of foreign exchange.

• Foods and sundries comps were positive in the high teens. The strongest-performing departments were foods, frozen foods, liquor, and cooler.
• Hardlines comps were positive 30%. Seasonal, sporting goods, garden, and majors, including consumer electronics, were the better-performing departments.
• Softlines comps were positive 20%. Jewelry, domestics, and small appliances were among the better performing departments.
• Fresh food comps were up low 20s with strong growth across meat and produce.
• Ancillary down high single digits. Lower year over year sales in hearing aid, food court, and gasoline were main contributors to the negative comps. Gasoline price deflation had a negative impact on total comps sales by 0.9%. The average selling price was 9.0% lower year over year at USD2.51 per gallon compared to USD2.75. Total gallons sold were also down 10.0% year over year.

As of February 3, 2021, Costco operated 803 clubs: 558 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 102 in Canada, 39 in Mexico, 29 in the United Kingdom, 27 in Japan, 16 in South Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 12 in Australia, three in Spain, one in Iceland, one in France and one in China. Costco also operates ecommerce websites in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

Source: Costco Investor Relations