Costco reported U.S. comparable store sales rose 6% in the first five
weeks ended Oct. 7. By region, comps rose 4% in the U.S. and 13%
internationally. Net sales reached $6.05 billion, an increase of 9
percent from $5.53 billion in the same period last year.

Costco currently operates 520 warehouses, including 385 in the U.S. and
Puerto Rico, 71 in Canada, 19 in the United Kingdom, five in Korea,
four in Taiwan, six in Japan and 30 in Mexico. The warehouse club
operator plans to open an additional ten to eleven new warehouses
(including the relocation of two warehouses to larger and
better-located facilities) prior to the end of calendar year 2007.