Sales at Costco increase

August seems to have delivered a mixed bag to various retailers, but Costco seems to have fared well with reported net sales of $7.95 billion for the four weeks ended Sept. 1, an increase of 7% from $7.44 billion during the prior-year period.

Comparable-store sales in the U.S., adjusted to exclude changes in gasoline prices, increased 5% for August and for the fourth quarter and increased 6% for the 52-week period.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported net sales of $31.8 billion, an increase of 1% from $31.5 billion in the prior-year quarter.

For the 52-week fiscal year ended Sept. 1, the company reported net sales of $102.9 billion, an increase of 6% from $97.1 billion for the prior year.

Costco currently operates 634 warehouses, including 451 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 85 in Canada, 33 in Mexico, 25 in the United Kingdom, 18 in Japan, 10 in Taiwan, 9 in Korea and 3 in Australia. Costco also operates various e-commerce sites.

The company plans to open up to 15 new warehouses before the end of calendar year 2013.