Costco's June sales were a mixed bag. While it reported its highest monthly sales of the year so far in June, same-store sales grew at their lowest rate since February on a year-over-year basis.

The membership warehouse club reported that net sales rose 10.6% year over year in June to $29.24 billion, well below May's 14.5% gain. Better performing departments included food, candy and frozen foods, the company said, along with bakery and meat. Among Costco's ancillary businesses, gas, pharmacy, and hearing aids were top performers.

For accounting purposes, the retail month of June spans the five weeks ending on Sunday, July 5, which included Father's Day, Juneteenth, and July Fourth.

Same-store sales looked relatively soft compared with recent months, growing at 8.8% overall year over year. That's compared with 12.5% year over year in May and 11.6% in April. Notably, the company said that gas price inflation positively impacted same-store sales by 2.5% with the average worldwide selling price up 22.4% versus last year.

Excluding impacts from gas and foreign exchange, same-store sales rose 4.9% in Canada and 5.6% in the dozen or so other countries where Costco has warehouses. U.S. same-store sales with the same exclusions rose 7.6% in June.

Costco recently lowered the price on many of its private label items sold under the Kirkland brand. The move, which comes amid rising inflation, may have contributed to rising sales by keeping members from shopping elsewhere.

The stock fell 1.6% in after-hours trading on the news. Costco shares are up 10.5% so far in 2026, versus the S&P 500's 9.3% gain through Wednesday's close.

Write to Anita Hamilton at anita.hamilton@barrons.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 08, 2026 17:14 ET (21:14 GMT)

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