COSTCO

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%).

DAYTON, Ohio — While Walmart maintained the No. 1 position on Interbrand's "U.S. Most Valuable Retail Brands" list for 2012, several other retailers are moving up the ranks.

Although Walmart touts a value that's more than $139 billion, this year also marked a 2% decrease for the big box retailer, Interbrand said. Second on this year's list was Target, which holds a value of $23 billion, a 1% increase over last year.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Net sales for Costco rose 9% in December to nearly $10.1 billion, the company announced Thursday.

The company also reported that U.S. comparable-store sales and international comps rose 7$ and 9%, respectively, during the five-week period. Excluding gasoline price increases and a slightly negative impact of foreign-currency translations, the quarter's same-store sales rose 7%, Costco noted.

CHICAGO — Investment research firm Morningstar has named the outgoing CEO of Costco Wholesale as its 2011 CEO of the Year, the company said Wednesday.

Costco CEO Jim Sinegal, who retired on New Year's Day, received the recognition for what Morningstar called his "exemplary corporate stewardship, independent thinking" and creating "lasting value for shareholders."

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. reported sales of $21.18 billion and profits of $320 million during first quarter 2012, according to an earnings statement.

NEW YORK — The state government of Washington is set to bow out of the liquor business on June 1 thanks to a ballot initiative that passed last month, but two labor unions are hoping to stop it, according to published reports.

Bootlegging, debauching and murdering its way through the second season, HBO’s Prohibition-themed series “Boardwalk Empire” has dramatized an era alien to its viewers but whose vestiges have remained in much of the country.