We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Costco's September Sales Rise 13% on Strong Comps, Digital Growth
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
Costco's September net sales jumped 13% to $30.02 billion, with total comparable sales rising 11.4%.
U.S. comps climbed 12.5%, while Canada and Other International markets grew 6.3% and 10.8%, respectively.
Digitally enabled sales rose 19%, while Costco's fiscal-year EPS estimate rose 37 cents to $22.87.
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) maintained its strong sales momentum in September 2026, supported by healthy comparable sales across its operating regions and continued growth in its digitally enabled business. The solid performance reflects the resilience of its membership-based business model and its appeal among value-conscious shoppers.
Costco reported net sales of $30.02 billion for the five weeks ended Oct. 4, 2026, representing a 13% increase from $26.58 billion in the year-ago period. This marked an acceleration from net sales growth of 9.9% in August and 10.7% in July.
Total comparable sales increased 11.4%, reflecting broad-based growth across the company’s geographic markets. This represented an improvement from comparable sales growth of 8.4% in August and 8.9% in July, highlighting the company's strengthening sales momentum.
Costco's Comparable Sales Remain Strong Across Regions
U.S. comparable sales increased 12.5% in September, while Canada posted 6.3% growth. Comparable sales in Other International markets rose 10.8%, reflecting healthy demand across Costco's global warehouse network.
Excluding the effects of gasoline price changes and foreign exchange fluctuations, total comparable sales advanced 7.6%. On the same basis, comparable sales increased 8% in the United States, 4.9% in Canada and 7.7% in Other International markets.
The positive comparable sales trends across regions underscore Costco's ability to sustain customer demand through its value-oriented merchandise. The company's focus on competitive pricing and a differentiated warehouse shopping experience remains central to attracting consumers seeking savings on everyday essentials and discretionary merchandise.
The timing of Labor Day provided a modest benefit to September's sales performance. The holiday occurred one week later than last year in the United States and Canada, favorably impacting total and comparable sales by slightly more than 50 basis points.
Costco’s Digitally Enabled Sales Continue to Gain Momentum
Costco's digitally enabled business remained a notable growth driver in September. Digitally enabled sales increased 19% year over year on a reported basis and 19.1% after excluding foreign exchange fluctuations.
These sales include transactions initiated through digital devices, irrespective of whether orders are fulfilled through warehouses, distribution centers or Costco Travel.
The strong performance highlights the growing importance of digital capabilities in Costco's broader retail strategy. By integrating digital shopping options with its established warehouse operations, the company can offer members greater convenience while reinforcing its value proposition.
How Does Costco Stack Up Against Its Industry?
Costco, which competes with Dollar General Corporation (DG - Free Report) and Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , has seen its shares jump 9.2% year-to-date compared with the industry’s 7.5% rise. While Dollar General shares have fallen 8%, Target has risen 54.4% over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Does Costco’s Current Valuation Suggest?
From a valuation standpoint, Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 40.82, higher than the industry’s ratio of 27.53. However, the stock is trading below its 12-month median level of 44.95, indicating some moderation in valuation.
Costco is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.48) and Dollar General (14.80).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Do Earnings Estimates Signal for Costco?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 8.3% and 11.8%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.2% rise in sales and 9.1% growth in earnings.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for the current fiscal year has increased 37 cents to $22.87 per share, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has risen 43 cents to $24.94 per share over the past 30 days.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Costco's September Sales Rise 13% on Strong Comps, Digital Growth
Key Takeaways
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) maintained its strong sales momentum in September 2026, supported by healthy comparable sales across its operating regions and continued growth in its digitally enabled business. The solid performance reflects the resilience of its membership-based business model and its appeal among value-conscious shoppers.
Costco reported net sales of $30.02 billion for the five weeks ended Oct. 4, 2026, representing a 13% increase from $26.58 billion in the year-ago period. This marked an acceleration from net sales growth of 9.9% in August and 10.7% in July.
Total comparable sales increased 11.4%, reflecting broad-based growth across the company’s geographic markets. This represented an improvement from comparable sales growth of 8.4% in August and 8.9% in July, highlighting the company's strengthening sales momentum.
Costco's Comparable Sales Remain Strong Across Regions
U.S. comparable sales increased 12.5% in September, while Canada posted 6.3% growth. Comparable sales in Other International markets rose 10.8%, reflecting healthy demand across Costco's global warehouse network.
Excluding the effects of gasoline price changes and foreign exchange fluctuations, total comparable sales advanced 7.6%. On the same basis, comparable sales increased 8% in the United States, 4.9% in Canada and 7.7% in Other International markets.
The positive comparable sales trends across regions underscore Costco's ability to sustain customer demand through its value-oriented merchandise. The company's focus on competitive pricing and a differentiated warehouse shopping experience remains central to attracting consumers seeking savings on everyday essentials and discretionary merchandise.
The timing of Labor Day provided a modest benefit to September's sales performance. The holiday occurred one week later than last year in the United States and Canada, favorably impacting total and comparable sales by slightly more than 50 basis points.
Costco’s Digitally Enabled Sales Continue to Gain Momentum
Costco's digitally enabled business remained a notable growth driver in September. Digitally enabled sales increased 19% year over year on a reported basis and 19.1% after excluding foreign exchange fluctuations.
These sales include transactions initiated through digital devices, irrespective of whether orders are fulfilled through warehouses, distribution centers or Costco Travel.
The strong performance highlights the growing importance of digital capabilities in Costco's broader retail strategy. By integrating digital shopping options with its established warehouse operations, the company can offer members greater convenience while reinforcing its value proposition.
How Does Costco Stack Up Against Its Industry?
Costco, which competes with Dollar General Corporation (DG - Free Report) and Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) , has seen its shares jump 9.2% year-to-date compared with the industry’s 7.5% rise. While Dollar General shares have fallen 8%, Target has risen 54.4% over the same period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Does Costco’s Current Valuation Suggest?
From a valuation standpoint, Costco's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stands at 40.82, higher than the industry’s ratio of 27.53. However, the stock is trading below its 12-month median level of 44.95, indicating some moderation in valuation.
Costco is trading at a premium to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 15.48) and Dollar General (14.80).
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
What Do Earnings Estimates Signal for Costco?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Costco’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 8.3% and 11.8%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 7.2% rise in sales and 9.1% growth in earnings.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for the current fiscal year has increased 37 cents to $22.87 per share, while the estimate for the next fiscal year has risen 43 cents to $24.94 per share over the past 30 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Costco currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.