- COST
- TGT
- WMT
Costco Wholesale Corporation‘s COST digitally enabled sales continue to outpace its broader comparable sales performance, highlighting the growing importance of digital shopping within its warehouse-centered business model. For the retail month of October — the four-week period ended Nov. 1, 2026 — digitally enabled sales increased 22.5% year over year compared with an 11.1% rise in companywide comparable sales. Excluding foreign exchange, digitally enabled sales advanced 22.6%, underscoring continued strength in the channel.
During the first nine weeks of fiscal 2027, digitally enabled sales climbed 20.5% versus an 11.3% increase in overall comparable sales. This follows a strong fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 performance, when digitally enabled comparable sales grew 19.5%, significantly ahead of the company’s 9.4% comparable sales gain. Digital growth has remained consistently above the broader business, reflecting increased member engagement through online shopping and delivery options. During fiscal 2026, digitally enabled sales exceeded $33 billion, increasing more than 20%.
The company has expanded its delivery capabilities, extending its Uber Eats partnership nationwide in the United States and adding DoorDash coverage across the country. These services complement its established Instacart relationship, giving members more flexibility in how they purchase merchandise. Management highlighted average delivery times of less than an hour across the three platforms, with younger members particularly receptive to the convenience.
Costco continues to refine its digital shopping experience through better product placement, personalized emails, and improvements to its website and mobile app. Fourth-quarter site and app traffic increased 30%, while personalized initiatives generated triple-digit sales growth. Management indicated that these digital transactions are largely incremental, with limited displacement of warehouse purchases. The combination of convenience, personalization and traditional warehouse shopping illustrates how Costco is adapting to changing purchasing habits while keeping its physical stores central to the member experience.
Focus on Peers — Walmart & Target’s Digital Sales Momentum
Walmart Inc. WMT is witnessing strong digital momentum, with global e-commerce sales rising 23% in second-quarter fiscal 2027, significantly outpacing overall revenue growth of 5.9%. Walmart U.S. e-commerce sales increased 24% compared with comparable sales growth of 2.6%. Store-fulfilled delivery, marketplace expansion and faster fulfillment supported this performance. Walmart’s continued investments in omnichannel capabilities are strengthening shopping convenience and customer engagement across its digital platforms.
