Costco Wholesale carried its winning streak into the new year, with January sales continuing to rise at a fast clip.
Costco’s January sales rose 9.2% from a year ago to $19.5 billion. In December, they gained 9.9%.
Traffic was strong in January, with comparable-store traffic up 7.1% worldwide, the company said.
Same-store sales rose 7.5% year over year, slightly increasing from December’s 7.4% rise.
Stripping out currency and gas price fluctuations, Costco’s same-store sales rose 9.8% year over year.
The first month of the year is often slower for retailers following the busy holiday season, but Costco’s strong results keep proving that it is no ordinary retailer. The warehouse club has been firing on all cylinders lately, attracting budget-conscious shoppers across the income spectrum.
It has also continued to ramp up its online business. E-commerce same-store sales were up 13.6% year over year, Costco said.
Costco stock ticked up 0.2% in after-hour trading Wednesday. Shares closed 2% higher at a record $1,042.88, extending a six-day winning streak.
This Saturday, the company reached a tentative contract deal with the Costco Teamsters union, which had been threatening to strike on Feb. 1 if both sides failed to reach an agreement before the union’s contract expired. The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.