Independence Day Boosts Costco July Sales

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. said Wednesday that non-fuel same-store sales improved by 8% during July, boosted in part by a strong run-up to the July 4 holiday.

The warehouse club operator here said it reported its monthly sales a day earlier than it customarily would because of internal meetings. Costco officials in a recorded message said the company benefitted from having two extra shopping days prior to July 4  compared with last year. The four-week period included 27 selling days beginning July 2 and ending July 29, vs. the July 4 to July 31 period of a year ago.

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Officials cited food and sundries as among the strongest performing categories, adding that fresh food realized moderate inflation, mostly in bakery. Costco said deflation in gasoline prices had a negative effect on comparable-store sales, with average gallon price of $3.41 this year vs. $3.56 last year. The company was able to make up the difference with more gallons sold.

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