Costco news

We review Costco's latest performance and growth opportunities as it gets ready to open its first club in France. Competition in France will be intense Costco is embarking on the next phase of its European expansion from a position of strength. Its third quarter revenue increased by 7.8% to $28.9bn, while comparable store sales, excluding fuel and currency impacts, increased by 5%. The reta...

We review how Sam's Club repositioned its Member's Mark brand, and the plans for its future development. Consolidated 21 brands into Member's Mark Over the last year Sam's Club has focused on consolidating 21 different private brands into one, Member's Mark. As part of this process, the retailer reviewed the entire private brand line-up to ensure that products emphasise both quality and val...

Costco Canada has opened its first Business Centre as it embarks on a more aggressive opening plan this year. First launch of the format outside of the US The Costco Business Centre format was launched in the US over 25 years ago. However, the concept has grown at a relatively slow pace with 15 sites currently trading in the country. The launch in Canada is the first time that the format is...

As Costco announces a new delivery partnership with Shipt, we look at how the retailer is starting to ramp-up its ecommerce activities. Potential to expand the service to 50 US markets Costco will initially work with Shipt in the Florida market for home delivery, before potentially expanding the service to 50 markets across the US by the end of the year. Shipt operates slightly differently ...

With several major retailers recently reporting quarterly results recently, including Walmart, Kroger and Costco, we look at the five key themes shaping their performances.  1. Deflation making its impact on growth rates Growth rates across the grocery retail market have slowed significantly over the last year. While the factors behind this are often complex and relative to each individual ...

We review Costco’s second quarter performance, including a new focus on EDLP pricing. 1. Sales improved despite stronger cannibalisation impact Costco’s second quarter net sales increased by 5.7% to $29.1bn, with comparable store sales up 3%, excluding currency and fuel impacts. Net income fell by 5.7% to $515m. This represents a marginal improvement on the comp sales performance in Q1, des...

Amidst a difficult economic backdrop, we look at the strategies driving growth at Mexico's leading grocery retailers. Uncertain times for consumers and business The ascent of Donald Trump to the presidency of the US has injected much uncertainty to Mexico's relationship with its larger neighbour to the North. GDP forecasts for 2017 have been cut sharply, with growth of under 2% now expected. Ma...

We review Costco’s first quarter performance, including its latest ecommerce and market entry initiatives. Growth led Mexico, the UK and South Korea Costco’s first quarter net sales increased by 3.2% to $27.5bn, with comp store sales, excluding fuel and currency impacts, up 2%. The retailer continued to see the strongest comp sales growth in Canada, while Mexico, the UK and South Korea deliv...

Costco Australia is set to announce record sales, plus is considering further expansion opportunities at sites previously occupied by hardware chain Masters. Another record year for revenue Costco Australia CEO, Patrick Noone, has said that the retailer's sales will be higher than last year, when the retailer generated revenue of AU$1.32bn. Despite the on going popularity of the retailer...

We review Costco’s fourth quarter and full year performance and its plans for the year ahead, including two new market entries. Full year revenue rises to $116.1bn Costco delivered a solid performance in the fourth quarter, broadly in line with Q3. In Q4, net sales increased by 2.1% to $35.7bn, with comparable store sales (excluding fuel and currency impacts) up 3%. As has been the trend f...