Costco's December Sales Stay Strong: What Is Driving COST's Momentum?

Costco Wholesale Corporation COST maintained steady comparable sales growth in December, reflecting its appeal among value-conscious consumers. The company’s competitive pricing and quality products — available both in stores and through its expanding e-commerce platform — continue to attract shoppers.

Sneak Peek Into Costco’s December Comparable Sales

For the five weeks ending Jan. 4, 2026, Costco reported a 7% year-over-year increase in total comparable sales. Regionally, comparable sales rose 6% in the United States, 8.4% in Canada and 10.6% in Other International markets. This follows total comparable sales growth of 6.9% in November and 6.6% in October, indicating consistent momentum.

On an adjusted basis, excluding the effects of gasoline prices and foreign exchange, U.S. comparable sales increased 6.3%, while Canada and Other International markets posted gains of 6% and 5.6%, respectively. Overall, total comparable sales, excluding these factors, grew 6.2% in December, following strong increases of 6.4% in November and 6.8% in October.

Digitally enabled comparable sales in December surged 18.9%, or 18.3%, when adjusted for fuel and currency impacts. This follows gains of 16.6% registered in both November and October, reflecting sustained strength in Costco’s online sales.

As a result, Costco's net sales for December rose 8.5% to $29.86 billion, up from $27.52 billion in the same period last year. This follows a sales improvement of 8.1% and 8.6% in November and October, respectively.

Bottom Line

Costco remains strong, courtesy of its membership-based model. With solid renewal rates, the retailer has cultivated a loyal customer base. This membership loyalty not only supports consistent sales but also helps Costco maintain stable margins, even during economic uncertainty. Additionally, Costco’s ability to leverage bulk purchasing and operate an efficient supply chain allows it to keep sharp, competitive pricing in today’s inflation-sensitive environment.

Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have fallen 4.8% over the past year against the Retail – Discount Stores industry’s 6.6% rise.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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