Costco Beats Wal-Mart in December Retail Sales. (Buy Blue?)

[cyberpj]

Costco Beats Wal-Mart in December Retail Sales
In the News

The January 6 New York Times reported December 2005 retail sales. Wal-Mart sales increased by only 2.2%, while Costco’s increased 7.0%.

Did Buybluers have anything to do with this? Let's take a poll.

Let us know if you shopped at Costco or Wal-Mart or both in December. If you consciously switched from Wal-Mart to Costco, let us know that too. Let's get some numbers here. Cheers.

(Didn't/don't know how yet - to take the poll...)

http://www.buyblue.org/taxonomy/term/6

[linazelle]

1. Good to hear. Too bad I don't have one any where near me. nt

[BattyDem]

2. I shopped at Costco ...

so did my mother. I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart ages ago, but I convinced my Mom to stop shopping there a couple of months ago. :-)

It looks like lots of other people had a "blue" Christmas, too! :bounce:

[tridim]

3. I think more people are realizing that Wal Mart sucks compared

to Costco, regardless of the political issue. Costco is kind of like shopping nirvana. Their stuff is actually high quality AND cheap, Walmart only sells crap.

[cyberpj]

6. I'm glad for the knock to Walmart, but how do we get back to LOCAL support

for shops and businesses?

If people only realized how much power they have to build their own communities by supporting their own people's businesses.

We need a "buy American" or "look for the union label" type of campaign, don't you think?

[1932]

20. They're might not be much room for locally-owned retailers of the kinds of

things Costco sells.

[noamnety]

4. I did my part!

Did some December shopping at Costco this year
Upgraded to the executive membership this fall
Joined the Walmart boycott a few years ago
Switched from Sam's Club to Costco a year or two before my full out Walmart boycott began

[AnnieBW]

5. I Did My Share!

Well... I certainly did my share! Especially buying stuff for my AnySoldier care packages. :)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. Problem is Walmarts 2.2% is still probably more than Costco's 7%.

Did the article mention actual dollar values? I'm curious about the real comparison if any of it was posted :)

[cyberpj]

8. NYTimes article needs subscription to view. It may tell the numbers. nt.

[DainBramaged]

13. Here little snippets from article

Target, the trendy discount retailer whose typical shoppers earn far more than those at Wal-Mart, said sales rose 4.7 percent. That was a reversal from November, when Target's sales growth dipped below Wal-Mart's for the first time in two years.

Wal-Mart did $32.5 billion in total sales 5 weeks to Dec. 30 +2.2%

Target 8.4 billion +4.7% same store sales

Costco 6.4 billion +7% same store sales

Remember, Wall-Phart-Mart has a gazillon stores.

[cyberpj]

19. Thanks for the info. The percentage of growth is what stockholders like.

Me. I just want the better employer to win.

Meanwhile - what I'd like most is for people to support their local community business owners instead of big box retailers all together. Support American workers and products AND keep money in your own community. We've really forgotten all about that.

[madrchsod]

12. costco beats walmart

in dollars per square foot and that`s is what matters. then you throw in the wages and benefits and costco is kicking walmarts ass.

remember these two companies---singer sewing machine had 80% of the market. a&p had 80% of the grocery sales in the usa

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

14. Actually, I would think sales and profit is what matters.

I wouldn't think Walmart management is looking at bottom line figures and saying "shit, look at our dollars per square foot figure!, we suck!"

I am pleased to see Costco doing well though.

[Moosepoop]

28. Actually, yes they do watch those figures.

In retail, sales per square foot are closely monitored and are a big deal. So is "rate of turn", or the rate at which inventory comes into the store vs the rate at which it is sold. There are all sorts of measures used to track a company's performance, much more than just the final dollar amount sold. These -- and other -- things impact a company's profitability and future prospects, and serious stockholders pay close attention to them.
I can certainly see Wal-Mart management looking at the current figures and saying "Oh, shit!!"
I spent almost nine years as a department manager there, watching them either celebrating the most recent figures, or having panic attacks over them.

[bliss_eternal]

9. I've never bought from Walmart--

but I shop as frequently as possible at Costco! LOVE that store! :thumbsup:

[malachibk]

10. We shop at Cosco and I have never purchased anything at Walmart, ever

n/t

[DainBramaged]

11. I shop at Costco when I have extra money or need bulk buys

And Target otherwise. Six years since Wal-Mart got my money (except one instance, I bought a gift card in 2003 for friend who was hurricane victim in Florida, lost everything including her house down to foundation). I don't usually count the gift card because the ONLY store open by her was a Wal-mart and they needed basics to live, and yet I still feel guilty.:blush:

[peacebaby3]

15. I want a Costco!!! The closest one to me is several hours away! I have

written Costco to ak them to come to my area, but no Costco!

[Lorien]

24. That's the case in many cities. Columbus, OH doesn't have one either

My dad lives near Columbus, and he has to shop at Sam's Club; he hates it! They've been asking for a Costco for years, but so far there are only three in Ohio, all over 100 miles away from Columbus. :-(

If Costcos were as plentiful as Walmarts, Costco would clobber them!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. Heading Is A Bit Misleading. Here Are Links To The Two Official Numbers

Costco - 5 week December sales = 6.37 billion

http://www.freshplaza.com/2006/06jan/rn2_us_costco.htm

Walmart - 5 week December sales = 27.92 billion

http://sev.prnewswire.com/retail/20060105/DATH01305012006-1.html

Walmart thrashed Costco by 21.5 Billion.

[sandnsea]

18. Same store sales, not volume

Yeah, Walmart is the biggest employer and retailer in the world. We know that. They didn't increase their sales at the same rate as Costco did, not good. Costco might just be gaining on them because people prefer a quality shopping experience and products over a menagerie full of craptiques.

[1932]

21. Notice that Costco employees don't look beaten down, miserable and on the

downside of opportunity.

I wonder if seeing happy employees influences customers.

[Lorien]

25. The ones at my Costco have been there since it opened ten years ago

They always seem upbeat, and i've never heard any of them sigh near quitting time about what a long rough day it's been.

I read somewhere that the average salary at Costco is around $40,000 a year; I wonder what the average hourly wage is there?

[Nikki Stone 1]

17. Good for Costco. I am a regular there.

:)

[bliss_eternal]

22. Hi Nikki!

Long time no see you! :hi:

[applegrove]

23. Wonderfull!

[LynnTheDem]

26. Way to go, Costco!!!

BUY BLUE and show the MFing red they are through!

[Skidmore]

27. We did!!!

We have one Costco in Iowa--in Des Moines. We went there to do our Christmas shopping and to stock up on dry goods and toiletries.
Now if they'd just get one in the eastern portion of the state.