For example, Costco is stocking toys earlier for the holidays as part of an effort to keep its warehouses full, and it has already chartered three ocean vessels to transport goods between Asia and North America for next year. The increase in the Consumer Price Index in recent months correlates with a small acceleration in Costco's comp sales from July through September, excluding gas and foreign currency. As long as inflation doesn't get completely out of control, Costco appears to be in a great position to widen its competitive moat and gain market share in the near term.