Costco Wholesale Corp.

Loyalty marketing consultant and publisher Colloquy on Friday said its national Retail Loyalty Index placed Costco as the top consumers' choice for loyalty in the grocery, personal care, and mass merchant categories.

The warehouse club's decision lets stand a court ruling that affirms the right of states to regulate alcohol.

The warehouse club retailer beat Wall Street expectations with a 32 percent jump in income, with food and fuel playing leading roles.

The warehouse club chain said rising food prices are driving shopping frequency to clubs, to its advantage as a more food-centric club operator.

Consumers who are worried about global food shortages are stocking up, leaving Sam's Club and others with less product on the shelves.

Penny-pinching consumers head to the warehouse club chain to stretch their dollars.

As the economy weakens, food is proving a key force behind sales growth at Costco, as evidenced by results in the latest quarter that the warehouse club chain discussed during a conference call yesterday.

As the economy weakens, food is proving a key force behind sales growth at Costco, as evidenced by results in the latest quarter that the warehouse club chain discussed during a conference call yesterday.