COSTCO

NEW YORK — Club retailer Costco Wholesale is looking to grow its online retail presence, according to published reports.

According to The Seattle Times, the company plans to introduce apps for Apple and Android devices this month in order to boost its online sales, which, at about $2 billion a year, are behind companies like Walmart and Amazon.

Citing industry statistics, The Seattle Times reported that Costco ranked 17th among online retailers, while Amazon had the top spot, and Walmart was fourth.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — A 30% rise in attendance at the Armada Specialty Pharmacy Summit is nothing to brush off — it's as clear an indication as any that specialty pharmacy is growing and probably poised for more growth in the near future, thanks in particular to the aging population and consequential rise in the number of people living with difficult-to-treat medical conditions.

A typical retail pharmacy is equipped to handle most of the prescription needs of its customers, whether they have a skin rash, chronic illness or the need for a vaccination against the flu or shingles.


With the plethora of health needs facing humans these days, it’s easy to forget that Fluffy and Fido have a few health needs of their own — needs that are driving sales of prescription drugs for pets and opening opportunities for pharmacy retailers.


BOSTON — A study conducted by Brodeur Partners has unveiled the most relevant retailers in the United States.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Sales for the month of March increased 10% for Costco to $9.13 billion, the wholesaler reported Thursday.

For the five weeks ended Apr. 1, comparable-store sales for the month were 6%; U.S. comps were 6% and international comps were 7%. Excluding inflation of gasoline prices and foreign currencies comparable sales for these periods were 6%, including 5% for the United States and 9% for international.

NEW YORK — The Ethisphere Institute's sixth annual selection of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" included several of the nation's top retailers.

Among this year's list of 145 organizations, Ethisphere — which describes itself as a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability — included Costco, Safeway, Target, Wegmans and Whole Foods.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco is off to a good start in 2012, with high increases in second-quarter sales and earnings.

The company reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 10% to $22.5 billion, from $20.5 billion last year. Total comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 8%, consisting of an 8% increase at both U.S. and international clubs. Excluding the impact of fuel, comparable-store sales were up 7%, consisting of a 7% increase at U.S. clubs and a 10% increase at international clubs.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Publix was one of the highest-ranked brick-and-mortar retailers in a report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. While supermarkets overall are up 1.3% to 76, Publix remains the grocer to beat, with a score of 84.

Other highly ranked traditional retailers include Costco with an ACSI score of 83 (+1%) and Sam’s Club at 81 (+4%).