Costco’s September sales increase 10.1%

Double-digital comparable sales growth in its home market gave Costco Wholesale Corp. a solid sales bump in September.

The membership warehouse club retailer reported that its net sales totaled $21.46 billion for the five weeks ended Oct. 2), an increase of 10.1% from $19.50 billion last year.

Costco’s total same-store sales increased 8.5%. Same-store sales rose 11.2% in the U.S., and 5.7% in Canada. Comparable sales fell 1.9% in other international locations. E-commerce comparable sales inched up 0.7%.

In August, Costco rival Sam’s Club announced it was hiking its annual membership fees, beginning in October. Despite speculation that Costco would follow the suit, the retailer is keeping its fees the same for the time being. Despite speculation that Costco would follow the suit, the retailer told analysts in its earnings call in September that it is keeping its fees the same for the time being.

Costco currently operates 839 warehouses, including 578 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 107 in Canada, 40 in Mexico, 31 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 17 in Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 13 in Australia, four in Spain, two each in France and China, and one each in Iceland and New Zealand. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.