Costco January Comps Rise 4.0%; International Jumps 12%

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $3.67 billion for the four weeks ended January 30, 2005, an increase of 7.0% from $3.43 billion in the same four-week period of the prior fiscal year.

For the first 22 weeks of its 2005 fiscal year ended January 30, 2005, the Company reported net sales of $21.84 billion, an increase of 10 percent from $19.92 billion during the similar 22-week period of the prior fiscal year.

Comparable sales for the 4-week and 22-week periods ended January 30, 2005, were as follows:

                       4 Weeks        22 Weeks
                     ------------   ------------
US                             3%             6%
International                 12%             9%

Total Company                  4%             7%
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