On Costco's nearly 90-minute earnings call, management was asked why it doesn't offer online ordering for groceries and other general merchandise items for in-store or curbside pickup
"It's not on our priority list," said Richard Galanti, finance chief at Costco, which has in-store pickup only for some electronics and jewelry items.
“Our sales are stronger than ever. “We are good at pivoting (if we ever need to).”
Consumers were forced to line up outside warehouses to stock up on groceries and other items.
Demand for the warehouse club with the largest membership remains well above the industry average.
In the quarter ended Aug. 30, comparable sales, excluding gasoline sales and the impact of foreign currency translation, rose nearly 14% in the U.S., its largest market with 552 warehouse clubs.
More consumers visited stores in the US, a feat that would make many of its industry rivals jealous, and they spent more per transaction.
“People are feeling safe coming in,” Galanti said. He said customer traffic increased "dramatically" in July and August.