COSTCO

PHOENIX — Vitabath, a bath and body brand that dates back more than 50 years, is looking to attract a whole new generation of women with the introduction of 17 new body washes.

The brand's revival will begin with the rollout of lime citron basil, exclusive to Costco, in June. This will be followed by the release of the 16-scent Vitabath fragrance collection in July.

ISSAQUAH, Wsh. — Costco experienced a 17% increase in its monthly sales ended April 3, totaling nearly $7.2 billion.

Costco was positively impacted by the calendar shift; the company's five-week period for March included 35 days this year, compared with 34 days last year. The wholesale retailer noted the comparable-store sales saw an 11% boost. Excluding such effects as inflation in gasoline prices and strengthening foreign currencies, which had a positive impact on comparable sales, Costco said comps would have increased 7%.

NEW YORK — Retailers rank among the highest for their customer service, according to a new report by the Temkin Group.

The consulting and research firm analyzed responses from 6,000 consumers, found that Amazon.com ranked No. 1 for providing an "excellent" customer experience, coming in with a ranking of 81.3%. A business qualifies for an "excellent" rating when their score is 80% or higher, Temkin said.

NEW YORK — Some of the nation's most popular retailers earned a spot on Interbrand's annual ranking of the 50 most valuable U.S. retail brands.

Walmart topped the list, with Target coming in the No. 2 spot, while CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens and Sam's Club respectively earned the fifth, sixth and seventh spots.

Other retailers on the list included Publix, Dollar General, Costco, Whole Foods and Family Dollar.

NEW YORK — Costco Wholesale CEO Jim Sinegal has made the Barron’s magazine list of the top 30 CEOs.

Sinegal earned the 22nd spot on the list. The magazine pointed out his busy travel schedule, which takes him to most of Costco’s 582 stores every year, as well as a recent trip to Asia from which he arrived in Issaquah, Wash., at 8 a.m., showered and was in the office at 9 a.m.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Sales at club-based mass merchandiser Costco increased by 11% to $20.45 billion during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, according to an earnings report Wednesday. For the first half of fiscal 2011, net sales increased to nearly $39.3 billion, from about $35.3 billion last year.

The figures include sales from Costco’s 50% owned joint venture in Mexico, and sales in that country accounted for about three percentage points of the quarterly and year-to-date sales.

CHICAGO — The real question behind the introductions of a store-brand beer from both Walgreens and Supervalu is whether or not the new brews will be hits by year’s end. In other words, can Big Flats 1901 and Buck Range Light be to beer what Trader Joe’s Two-Buck-Chuck was to wine?


NOVI, Mich. — “Do you know what 2:30 in the afternoon feels like?” Not if you have Living Essentials’ 5-Hour Energy on the shelf. The company peppered the airwaves with its commercial message, positioning 5-Hour Energy shots as an alternative to coffee for those 30-somethings in the work force.