Costco sees strong March U.S. sales

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale reported net sales of $11.64 billion for the month of March — the five weeks ended April 2, 2017 — an increase of 9% from $10.71 billion during the similar period last year. This year’s total reflects one additional sales day due to the timing of Easter, which positively impacted net and comparable sales by an estimated 1% to 1.5%.

Comparable-store sales for the five-week period were strongest in the United States, where they advanced by 7% year over year. Excluding impacts from gasoline prices and foreign exchange rates, Costco’s U.S. comparable-store sales increased by 6% year over year.

Companywide, Costco saw comparable-store sales improve by 6% year over during the five-week period, or 5% when factoring in gasoline and foreign exchange.

Costco currently operates 729 warehouses, including 508 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.