Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports September Sales Results

Costco posted $30.02 billion in September sales, up 13% year-over-year.

What the company is saying

Costco Wholesale Corporation reports net sales of $30.02 billion for September, covering the five weeks ended October 4, 2026, representing a 13.0% increase from $26.58 billion in the same period last year. The company highlights strong comparable sales growth across all regions, with the United States at 12.5%, Canada at 6.3%, Other International at 10.8%, and a total company increase of 11.4%. Adjusted comparable sales, excluding gasoline price and foreign exchange impacts, are also disclosed, showing 8.0% growth in the U.S. and 7.6% for the total company. Digitally-enabled sales are emphasized, rising 19.0% year-over-year, or 19.1% excluding foreign exchange. Costco explicitly notes that a later Labor Day in the U.S. and Canada added a little more than 50 basis points to September sales growth. The announcement is factual, focused on operational and sales metrics, and avoids forward-looking or promotional language. The company also details its global footprint, operating 939 warehouses and e-commerce sites in nine countries.

What the data suggests

The disclosed figures show Costco's net sales rose to $30.02 billion in September, up from $26.58 billion a year earlier, marking a 13.0% year-over-year increase. Comparable sales growth was robust across all regions, with the U.S. leading at 12.5%, followed by Other International at 10.8%, and Canada at 6.3%, resulting in an 11.4% total company increase. When excluding gasoline and foreign exchange effects, comparable sales still grew 7.6% company-wide. Digitally-enabled sales surged 19.0% year-over-year, or 19.1% excluding FX, indicating strong online demand. The timing of Labor Day contributed a little more than 50 basis points to the growth figures, as acknowledged by management. The company operates 939 warehouses globally, with the largest presence in the U.S. and Puerto Rico (647), and maintains e-commerce operations in nine countries. The data is comprehensive for sales and operational scale, but does not include profitability or margin metrics.

Analysis

The announcement is a factual, data-driven monthly sales update with no exaggerated or forward-looking claims. All key statements are realised and supported by precise numerical disclosures, including net sales, comparable sales (with and without gasoline/FX impacts), and digitally-enabled sales growth. The tone is positive, reflecting strong year-over-year growth, but the language remains proportionate to the results. There is no promotional or aspirational phrasing, and no mention of future targets, expansion plans, or unquantified benefits. However, the absence of any profitability metrics (net income, EBITDA, operating profit, or cash flow) means the true_signal cannot exceed weak_positive, as investors cannot assess whether sales growth is translating into improved earnings or margins. The data quality is high, but the signal is capped by the disclosure completeness rule.

Risk flags

• ●The absence of profitability, margin, or cash flow data means investors cannot assess whether strong sales growth is translating into improved earnings or operational leverage. This limits the ability to gauge the quality of growth and may obscure underlying cost pressures.
• ●Sales growth was positively impacted by a later Labor Day, contributing more than 50 basis points to the reported figures. This calendar effect is non-recurring and could lead to less favorable comparisons in subsequent periods.
• ●International and digital sales growth, while strong, may be subject to foreign exchange volatility and local economic conditions, which are not detailed in this release. This introduces potential variability in future reported results.

Bottom line

Costco delivered a strong September, with net sales rising 13% year-over-year to $30.02 billion and robust comparable sales growth across all regions. Digitally-enabled sales grew even faster at 19%, reinforcing the company's multi-channel momentum. The company is transparent about the one-off benefit from the Labor Day calendar shift, which added over 50 basis points to growth. While the operational and sales data is comprehensive, the lack of profitability or margin disclosures means investors cannot fully assess the earnings impact of this growth. The most important takeaway is that Costco continues to expand sales at a rapid pace, but further detail on costs and margins will be needed to judge the sustainability and quality of this performance.

Announcement summary

(NASDAQ:COST) Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $30.02 billion for the retail month of September, covering the five weeks ended October 4, 2026. This represents an increase of 13.0 percent from $26.58 billion in the same period last year. Comparable sales for the five-week period were 12.5% in the United States, 6.3% in Canada, 10.8% in Other International, and 11.4% for the Total Company. When excluding the impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange, comparable sales were 8.0% in the United States, 4.9% in Canada, 7.7% in Other International, and 7.6% for the Total Company. Digitally-enabled sales increased year-over-year by 19.0% as reported, and by 19.1% excluding foreign exchange. The timing of Labor Day in the U.S. and Canada, which occurred one week later this year, positively impacted September total and comparable sales by a little more than 50 basis points. Costco currently operates 939 warehouses, including 647 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 115 in Canada, 43 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland and New Zealand. The company also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and China. Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message on the company's investor website, accessible through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The company notes that comparable sales and comparable sales excluding impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange are intended as supplemental information and are not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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