Updated: August 23, 2026
Costco’s latest 2026 numbers are sending an increasingly clear message about consumer spending: shoppers are still prioritizing value, and the warehouse giant continues to capture more of their money even as households remain selective about where they spend.
The newest evidence comes from Costco’s July sales report. The company generated $23.12 billion in net sales during the four weeks ended August 2, 2026, up 10.7% from $20.89 billion during the same period a year earlier.
For the first 48 weeks of Costco’s fiscal year, net sales reached $273.55 billion, representing growth of 10.1% from $248.35 billion a year earlier. The results provide fresh evidence that Costco’s membership-driven value model continues to resonate with consumers.
Latest Costco sales show broad-based growth
Costco reported total comparable sales growth of 8.9% in July. After removing the effects of gasoline prices and foreign exchange movements, comparable sales increased 6.6%.
Adjusted comparable sales increased 6.9% in the U.S., 4.9% in Canada and 6.6% across Costco’s other international markets.
One of the strongest numbers came from Costco’s digital business. Digitally enabled comparable sales increased 18.2% after adjusting for foreign exchange, extending the company’s rapid online growth.
That matters because Costco is no longer relying solely on customers making traditional warehouse trips. Its expanding digital business gives members another way to interact with the retailer while the physical warehouse remains central to its strategy.
Costco’s membership model remains a major advantage
The July numbers build on Costco’s strong fiscal third-quarter results reported in May. During that quarter, Costco recorded $69.15 billion in net sales, up 11.6% year over year, while net income increased to $2.19 billion.
Costco ended the quarter with approximately 82.9 million paid members and 148.5 million cardholders. Paid memberships were up 4.1% from a year earlier.
Renewal rates also remained exceptionally high. Costco reported a 92.2% renewal rate in the U.S. and Canada and an 89.7% worldwide renewal rate.
Membership income increased 10.7% after adjusting for foreign exchange, reinforcing why Costco’s business model is so difficult for traditional retailers to replicate.
Members are spending more per visit
The underlying shopping behavior is particularly important. During Costco’s fiscal third quarter, adjusted average transaction size increased 4.2% worldwide, while shopping frequency increased 2.4%.
That combination means Costco was benefiting from two growth engines at the same time: customers were visiting more frequently and spending more when they shopped.
The U.S. recorded a 1.8% increase in adjusted traffic and a 5.0% increase in average ticket, while Canada recorded particularly strong traffic growth of 4.4%.
Costco is also expanding its reach
Growth is not limited to existing warehouses. As of its July sales report, Costco operated 933 warehouses worldwide, including 641 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 115 in Canada, 43 in Mexico, 37 in Japan and 29 in the United Kingdom.
The company continues to add locations as it looks to expand its membership base. A new warehouse in the Albany, New York area opened in August, joining Costco’s continuing U.S. expansion.
Costco is also looking beyond traditional retail. The company is working with nonprofit insurer SCAN Group on a limited rollout of Costco-branded Medicare products, including Medicare Advantage plans in two states and a Medicare supplement product in another market, subject to regulatory approval.
The initiative could give Costco another way to deepen its relationship with members by connecting its trusted brand with services beyond groceries and general merchandise.
Why Costco’s latest numbers matter
Costco’s performance suggests consumers are not simply cutting spending across the board. Instead, many appear to be concentrating purchases at retailers where they believe they receive better value.
That plays directly into Costco’s strengths. Membership fees provide recurring revenue, while bulk purchasing, Kirkland Signature products and high merchandise turnover help the company maintain its value-focused positioning.
The company’s famous “treasure hunt” strategy also remains important. Costco regularly rotates discretionary merchandise alongside groceries and household essentials, encouraging members to discover products they may not have planned to buy.
For investors following Costco, the latest July sales numbers strengthen the case that the company’s momentum has continued beyond its most recently reported quarterly earnings.
What to watch next
The next major test will be Costco’s upcoming earnings report, when investors will get a more complete look at sales, margins, membership trends and consumer behavior.
For now, the newest numbers remain strong: July net sales rose 10.7%, adjusted comparable sales climbed 6.6%, and adjusted digitally enabled sales jumped 18.2%.
Those figures suggest Costco is doing more than simply retaining loyal members. It is continuing to capture spending across warehouses and digital channels while expanding the ecosystem surrounding its membership program — a combination that keeps Costco in a strong position as 2026 moves into its final months.
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