COSTCO

NEW YORK — A company that helps people shop for groceries is expanding into another city after a successful run in two others, according to published reports.

TechCrunch reported that Instacart had launched in Boston. The company already operates in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, and it plans to serve the entire Boston area in the next few months.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. had sales of $24.47 billion in first quarter 2014, the club retailer said.

The results, announced Wednesday, were an increase from the $23.20 billion reported in first quarter 2013 and produced a profit of $425 million, compared with the $416 profit last year.

Same-store sales for the quarter increased by 3%, including 3% in the United States and 1% in stores abroad.

While profits increased over the last quarter, the company's earnings per share of 96 cents fell short of the $1.03 expected by analysts.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp.'s sales increased by 5% during first quarter 2014, which ended on Nov. 24, the club retailer said Thursday.

The company reported sales of $24.47 billion during the quarter, compared with $23.2 billion in first quarter 2013. For the month of November, sales were $8.78 billion, a 5% increase over the $8.4 billion reported in November 2012.

HAMILTON, N.J. — Dr Pepper Snapple Group will distribute a growing line of all-natural, antioxidant-infused beverages, the maker of the beverages said Tuesday.

Bai Brands, which makes the Bai 5 line, said the two companies had been working together for the last two years in select markets around the country and will now expand their partnership in most major markets.

NEW YORK — Some members of club retailer Costco can have their items delivered to their homes under a new partnership between the retailer and Google, the Internet company said.

Google Shopping Express is partnering with Costco to offer the service to members in the San Francisco area. Customers can order items online or through their mobile devices.

The delivery service also has partnerships with such retailers as Target, Whole Foods Market and L'Occitane.

NEW YORK — A bill that would implement federal tracking and tracing of drugs and strengthen federal regulations on pharmacy compounding has passed in the Senate and will go to President Barack Obama for his signature.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Sales at Costco Wholesale in October were up by 6% over last year, the club retailer said Thursday.

Costco said sales for the month were $8.15, compared with $7.66 billion in October 2012. For the nine-week period that ended Sunday, sales were $18.01 billion, a 6% increase over the $17 billion the chain had during the same period last year.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group VP Dave Wendland is moderating Drug Store News' Diabetes & Chronic Care Roundtable for the 10th-consecutive year, the company said Tuesday.

The roundtable, part of the DSN Industry Issues Summit, will take place on Dec. 3 at the New York Athletic Club in New York and include participants like Walgreens, Thrifty-White, Costco, H-E-B, Ahold, Kerr Drug, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson/Health Mart, as well as numerous suppliers.