News Briefs

Costco Wholesale Corp. came out of the gate strong for the new year with healthy sales gains. 

The membership warehouse giant said that its net sales rose 9.3% $21.33 billion for the four weeks ended Feb. 1, 2026.

Total company comparable sales for the period increased 7.1%. Comp sales rose 5.8% in the U.S. and 11.4% in Canada. Other international comp sales rose 9.5%. Digitally-enabled comps surged 34.4%.

Total company comparable sales excluding the impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange rose 6.4%, and were up 6.8% in the U.S.

Costco noted that Lunar and Chinese New Years will occur on Feb. 17, 19 days later this year. The shift negatively impacted January.

By merchandising category, non-foods had gains in the low double digits, led by jewelry and tires. Food and sundries rose in the mid single digits. 

Costco currently operates 924 warehouses, including 634 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 114 in Canada, 42 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland and New Zealand.

Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.

 U.S. consumer sentiment improved in February, reaching a six-month high, even as consumers remain concerned about the labor market and the rising cost of living.

In preliminary results for February, the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers reported that its Index of Consumer Sentiment rose to 57.3 in February from 56.4 in January. It was the third straight monthly improvement.

The rise in sentiment was mostly by driven by consumers with the largest stock portfolio holdings, according to surveys of consumers director Joanne Hsu, while it stagnated and remained at dismal levels for consumers without stock holdings.

“While sentiment is currently the highest since August 2025, recent monthly increases have been small — well under the margin of error — and the overall level of sentiment remains very low from a historical perspective,” Hsu said.  “Concerns about the erosion of personal finances from high prices and elevated risk of job loss continue to be widespread.”

Consumers were most upbeat about current economic conditions, with that index rising to 58.3 from 55.4 in January. Looking ahead, however, the index of consumer expectations fell 0.7% to 56.6 from 57 in January.

Inflation

Year-ahead inflation expectations fell from 4.0% last month to 3.5% this month, the lowest reading since January 2025. The reading, however, still exceeds those seen in 2024 and remains well above the 2.3-3.0% range seen in the two years pre-pandemic, noted Hsu.

Long-run inflation expectations inched up for the second straight month, from 3.3% last month to 3.4% this month. In comparison, readings ranged between 2.8% and 3.2% in 2024, and were below 2.8% throughout 2019 and 2020.

An organic and natural grocery chain is set to make its debut in a new state.

Colorado-based Natural Grocers will open its first location in Wisconsin, in the resort town of Lake Geneva near the Illinois border, this spring. The retailer says Lake Geneva is a fitting home for its commitment to “quality, community and local engagement.”

Natural Grocers has planned a special meet-and-greet for locals on Feb. 17 and a two-day hiring event on Feb. 18 - 19.

[READ MORE: Sprouts touches down in New York with Long Island store]

In its most recent financial results, announced on Feb. 5, Natural Grocers reaffirmed plans to open between six and eight new locations in fiscal 2026, with two to three store relocations/remodels planned.

Net sales for the grocer during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, ended Dec. 31, 2025, increased $5.4 million, or 1.6%, to $335.6 million, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The chain saw a $5.7 million increase in comparable store sales and a $2.4 million increase in new store sales.

According to a recent report from retail foot traffic data firm Placer.ai, non-traditional grocery retailers like fresh format stores and discount chains saw the greatest year-over-year increase in visits in 2025.

Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. has 168 stores in 21 states.

One retailer is the clear-cut leader in providing a positive return experience.

Forty-five percent of U.S. consumers say Amazon has the best return experience. This is more than double the 20% of consumers who participated in a survey exclusively released to Chain Store Age by CouponFollow, who rated Target as the top retailer for returns.

The next three top-ranked retailers in terms of their return experience are:

• Walmart 17%.
• Best Buy 5%.
• Nordstrom 3%.

Holiday gift return trends

Survey respondents were asked a number of questions regarding their return habits when it comes to holiday gifts. These included:

Top reasons for returning gifts

• Wrong size or fit 43%.
• Didn’t like it 40%.
• Already liked it 18%.
• Damaged or defective 10%.
• Wanted cash 7%.

How important is a retailer’s return policy when deciding where to shop for holiday gifts?

• Very important 33%.
• Somewhat important 44%.
• Not very important 18%.
• Not at all important 5%.

Most commonly returned types of gifts:

• Clothing and accessories 61%.
• Electronics or gadgets 24%.
• Toys and games 16%.
• Home goods 16%.
• Beauty or personal care items 9%.
• Kitchen or cooking items 8%.

[READ MORE: Here’s the product category consumers return most, and why]

Other findings

• Americans have returned an average of two gifts from this past holiday season so far.
• The average value of post-holiday gift returns is $143.
• More than one-in-five (22%) respondents have already returned unwanted holiday gifts, and 10% are planning to.
• Gen Z is the most likely respondent generation to keep an unwanted item just to avoid the hassle of returning it (82%).
• Almost three-in-10 (28%) respondents have lied about the reason for a return.

CouponFollow surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults on Jan. 15, 2026.

Walmart Inc. is making a major financial commitment in the latest phase of its regional distribution center automation program.

The discount giant plans to invest more than $330 million to upgrade its regional distribution center in Opelousas, La. The phased, multi-year project is part of a nationwide Walmart initiative to automate all 42 of its regional distribution centers (RDCs).

To support the project, the state of Louisiana provided a competitive incentives package, including a $10 million performance-based grant tied to equipment investments. Once complete, the Opelousas facility will be able to ship nearly twice the number of cases as a traditional distribution center, strengthening supply chain efficiency for Walmart stores throughout the region.

The company is expected to retain its workforce and transition roles toward higher-skilled positions in automation, robotics and advanced technology. 

RDC initiative the discount giant launched in July 2021 and extended to include all 42 RDCs in May 2022.  

[READ MORE: Walmart expands regional distribution automation strategy]

According to Walmart, new technology from Symbiotic it has been implementing enables it to double the number of cases processed per hour compared to a traditional RDC. By the end of 2025, the retailer expected that roughly 65% of its stores would be receiving merchandise from high-tech distribution centers. 

Walmart’s RDC automation initiative is part of broader digital transformation effort in its supply chain aimed at increasing the speed, efficiency and safety at which products are distributed. 

"Louisiana and Opelousas have been great partners for nearly 25 years," said Mike Gray, senior VP of Walmart supply chain. "By adding robotics and automation, we’re transforming how we serve our stores and customers. This investment allows us to grow alongside the community while creating new opportunities for career growth for our associates."

Bob Evans Restaurants has a new owner.

New York-based investment firm 4x4 Capital has acquired the 78-year-old, Ohio-based family-dining chain from Golden Gate Capital. Bob Evans has more than 400 locations in 18 states. Golden Gate acquired the company in 2017 for $565 million.

Bob Evans CEO Mickey Mills and her team will continue to lead the restaurant company. 4x4 co-founder and partner Gustavo Assumpção will serve as executive board chair.

"We are proud of what we accomplished in partnership with Golden Gate Capital and excited to begin this next chapter with 4x4’s hands-on partnership,” said Mills. “Together, we look forward to investing in and enhancing our operations, guest experience and brand — with a continued focus on stability, partnership and long-term value creation.”

“What truly sets the Bob Evans brand apart is its distinctive hospitality, welcoming ambiance and fresh, flavorful food — delivering real value for the whole family,” said Gustavo Assumpção. “We look forward to partnering with Mickey and the team to maximize long-term growth.”