US: Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports September Sales Results

Costco Wholesale Corporation today reported net sales of $5.56 billion for the month of September, the five weeks ended October 1, 2006, an increase of 8% from $5.14 billion in the same five-week period last year. Comparable sales increased 4% during this five-week period (3% domestically and 12% internationally).

Costco currently operates 488 warehouses, including 359 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 68 in Canada, 18 in the United Kingdom, five in Korea, four in Taiwan, five in Japan and 29 in Mexico. The Company also operates Costco Online, an electronic commerce web site, at www.costco.com and at www.costco.ca in Canada. The Company plans to open an additional 15 to 16 new warehouses prior to the end of calendar year 2006.

As previously announced, the Company plans to release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2006 operating results on Thursday, October 12, 2006. A conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for 8:00 a.m (PT) on October 12, and will be available via a webcast on www.costco.com (click on Investor Relations and "Webcasts").

Additional discussion of these sales results is available on a pre-recorded telephone message. You can access the recording by dialing 1-800-642-1687 (conference ID #2328173). This recorded message will be available today through 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, October 6, 2006.

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