Costco reports surge in monthly sales

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Sales for the month of March increased 10% for Costco to $9.13 billion, the wholesaler reported Thursday.

For the five weeks ended Apr. 1, comparable-store sales for the month were 6%; U.S. comps were 6% and international comps were 7%. Excluding inflation of gasoline prices and foreign currencies comparable sales for these periods were 6%, including 5% for the United States and 9% for international.

Costco currently operates 601 warehouses, including 434 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 82 in Canada, 32 in Mexico, 22 in the United Kingdom, 13 in Japan, eight in Taiwan, seven in Korea and three in Australia. The company plans to open up to an additional eight new warehouses prior to the end of its fiscal year on Sept. 2.