While the COVID-19 pandemic brought many retailers to their knees, Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) has reported strong sales growth for much of the past year. A modest holiday slowdown Costco's adjusted comparable sales (excluding changes in gasoline prices and currency fluctuations) jumped nearly 17% in September and October, the first two months of the company's 2021 fiscal year. Consumers shifted spending toward Costco as they spent more time at home and looked to consolidate shopping trips.