With 94 million customers and 722 warehouses across the globe (including 535 in the U.S.) and a number of Instagram fan accounts dedicated to the wholesaler, Costco has a zealous shopper fan base, an accomplishment in this day and age where store loyalty is hard to come by.
CNBC.com recently published an article exploring how the Issaquah, WA-based club retailer has mindfully worked towards engaging its consumers. From the feeling of exclusivity that the membership offers, the value customers perceive, the free samples, to even the joy of finding an unexpected treasure as shoppers navigate the warehouse, Costco offers an experience that keeps shoppers coming back for more, and it certainly has the numbers to show.
Costco stock (Nasdaq: COST) is up 21.4% year to date and reported net sales of $11.60 billion for the retail month of April, the four weeks ended May 5, 2019, an increase of 7.3 percent from $10.81 billion last year. For the thirty-five weeks ended May 5, Costco reported net sales of $99.89 billion, an increase of 8.3 percent from $92.24 billion during the similar period last year.
The retailer will be releasing its fiscal third quarter earnings report this Thursday on a conference call at 5 PM EST on Thursday, May 30.