COSTCO

Costco's earnings climbed more than 19% in the first quarter and revenue rose 10.2% to $35.07 billion, as construction at its first location in China is underway.

For its fourth quarter Costco's same-store sales rose 9.2%, net sales rose 5% to $43.4 billion and same-store sales rose 9.5%.

The warehouse club chain took the No. 1 spot by paying well above the typical salary that other retail companies pay, even for entry-level workers, according to Indeed.

Chronic care management was the focus of a panel at the DSN Industry Issues Summit in New York City, at which much of the discussion centered on challenges related to diabetes, and the role pharmacy can play in keeping patients healthy.

Key companies on the list, in descending order, were Amazon (3), Costco (12), were CVS Health (27), and Target (39), Walmart (42) and Publix (49).

Costco earned $640 million, $1.45 a share, in the quarter ended November 26, compared with $545 million, or $1.24 a share, in the year-ago period. Analysts had expected earnings of $1.33 a share.

Net sales rose 13.3% to $31.12 billion, better than analysts expected. Total same-store sales 10.5%.

Costco’s comparable E-commerce sales jumped 43.5%. The increase comes as the retailer has been investing to grow its digital capabilities, including a partnership with delivery service firm Instacart to offer two-day and same-day delivery.

Costco “turned in a month for the ages in the current retail environment,” Ken Perkins, analyst at Retail Metrics, told MarketWatch.

Net sales surged 13.2% to $11.26 billion in November, up from $9.95 billion in the year-ago period. Online sales rose 39%, and were up 44% in the 12-week period through Nov. 26, helped by an expanded assortment and faster delivery times.

Costco Wholesale posted a 10.1% increase in revenue amid increases in sales traffic and a big increase in online sales.

Costco’s net sales rose 10.1% to $10.02 billion for the four weeks ended Oct. 29, from $9.11 billion during the similar period last year.

Total same-store sales increased 7.5%, ahead of the Street forecast, with a 7% increase in U.S., and a 9% rise in Canada. Other International comparable sales rose 8.2%. For the second consecutive month, comparable e-commerce sales rose 31%.