COSTCO

The nation’s leading warehouse club operator continues to push into new markets with a determined expansion program both in the United States and internationally. In the process, Costco Wholesale also is extending its reach into the market for pharmacy and preventive health services, surging past the 500 mark in total pharmacies operating in the United States and expanding its menu of health screenings, immunizations and clinical-care offerings.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale reported net sales of $11.64 billion for the month of March — the five weeks ended April 2, 2017 — an increase of 9% from $10.71 billion during the similar period last year. This year’s total reflects one additional sales day due to the timing of Easter, which positively impacted net and comparable sales by an estimated 1% to 1.5%.

TAMPA, Fla. — Costco is entering the grocery delivery game via a partnership with online grocery marketplace Shipt. Beginning Tuesday, customers in the Tampa, Fla., region were able to receive home delivery of Costco products.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco announced Thursday it will increase its membership fee by $5 to $60 annually for its U.S. and Canada Goldstar individual, business and business add-on members. This change will take effect June 1.

Also effective June 1, annual fees for Executive memberships in the U.S. and Canada will increase by $10 to $120. Both moves will impact a total of about 35 million members, stated Costco.

However, the maximum annual 2% reward associated with the executive membership will increase from $750 to $1,000.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco and EnvisionRx, the pharmacy benefit management division of EnvisionRxOptions, have partnered to expand Rx90, intended to improve care and reduce costs for people with chronic conditions.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale reported net sales of $9.08 billion for the month of January, an increase of 9% compared to $8.32 billion in sales during the same period in 2016.

U.S. comparable-store sales for the four week period ended Jan. 29 increased 6% year over year. When excluding impacts from gasoline prices and foreign exchange, U.S. comparable-store sales increased 5% year over year. For the total company, comp-store sales rose 7%.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale’s net sales increased by 5% year over year to $13 billion during a five-week period ended Jan. 1. For the 18-week period ended Jan. 1, net sales rose to $43.18 billion versus $41.66 billion during the same period in 2015.

Comparable store sales rose by 3% in the United States in the five-week period, and a total of 1% during the 18-week period. Canadian stores were Costco’s shining star when looking at both periods, increasing 7% in the five-week period and 5% in the 18-week period.