Costco news

20 April 2017
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...
03 April 2017
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...
27 March 2017
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 ...
07 March 2017
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 ...
02 March 2017
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...
26 January 2017
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...
07 December 2016
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...
03 October 2016
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...
30 September 2016
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...
02 June 2016
From accounts filed with Companies House, Costco UK has reported full year sales of £1,904m for the year ending 30 August 2015.  This represents annual growth of 7.1%, continuing the wholesaler's run of years at over 6%.  Gross profit was up by 14.2%, with gross margin improving to 3.0%.  Strong growth has continued into 2015/16 with Costco has indicating that Q1 (to 22 November 2015) in the UK s...