ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $21.18 billion for the retail month of April, the four weeks ended May 4, 2025, an increase of 7.0 percent from $19.80 billion last year.

Net sales for the first 35 weeks were $180.05 billion, an increase of 8.2 percent from $166.44 billion last year.

April had one less shopping day versus last year, due to the calendar shift of Easter. This negatively impacted total and comparable sales by approximately one and one-half to two percent.

Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com. This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Costco currently operates 905 warehouses, including 624 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

See the full report here.

KANSAS CITY, KS - Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) announced the election of Greg Rush to fill an open position on the company’s Board of Directors.

Greg serves as President of Houchens Food Group, Inc. (HFG), a diversified company that is 100% employee-owned and operates in the grocery, convenience, hardware, and restaurant industries. HFG currently operates over 400 locations across 15 states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and Alabama, among others. HFG is a subsidiary of Houchens Industries, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified wholly owned S Corp ESOP companies in the United States.

"We are thrilled to welcome Greg Rush to AWG's Board of Directors,” says Dan Funk, AWG President and CEO, in a recent press release. 

“His extensive experience and proven leadership in the industry make him an invaluable addition to the board. His expertise will undoubtedly contribute to AWG's continued growth and success. We look forward to working closely with Greg and benefiting from his strategic vision." Barry Queen, Chairman of the Board of AWG, stated, “Greg’s deep industry knowledge and innovative mindset will be instrumental to the board. His commitment to excellence and forward-thinking vision will be an asset in helping guide our strategic initiatives.” 

“It is an honor for me to serve as a member of AWG’s Board of Directors,” says Rush. “I have had the privilege of working with the outstanding AWG leadership team in my previous roles with Houchens, and I look forward to contributing to the future of the cooperative.”

Greg is active in both the local community and within the industry, having previously served as a Board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Bowling Green area, Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association (TGCSA), and the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA). He is currently serving as a board member of Houchens Food Group and Feeders Pet Supply as well as the current Chairman of the Board for Alliance Retail Group.

HART, MI - Todd Greiner Farms Packing, LLC., a premier grower/packer/shipper of Michigan produce, proudly announces the addition of Blake Hansen as National Sales Manager, effective April 28, 2025.

A lifelong Oceana County resident, Hansen brings nearly two decades of retail and customer relationship experience to the TGF team. His impressive career includes 19 years with Frito-Lay as a Route Sales Representative, where he cultivated strong client partnerships and developed customized sales strategies across more than 25 accounts weekly. His background also includes early hands-on experience in agriculture, having worked on Tubbs Orchards in his youth and developed a deep-rooted appreciation for farming and fresh produce.

“I was excited to accept the position at TGF because farming and retail sales have always been a big part of my life,” said Hansen in a recent press release. “From harvesting produce on my grandparents’ farm in Oceana County to packing groceries at my family’s store in Hart, produce has always been personal to me. This role at TGF is an opportunity to connect thousands of people with healthy, delicious fruits and vegetables every season.”

Blake is most energized by the ever-changing rhythm of the produce industry. “Each season brings something new to the table, literally and figuratively,” he added. “There’s always more to learn, and I find it rewarding to know that what we offer contributes to people’s well-being.”

In addition to his professional pursuits, Hansen is a devoted family man. He and his wife of over 20 years are raising three children in the heart of Oceana County. On weekends, the family enjoys outdoor adventures, including camping, boating, hiking, and playing pickleball at their property in Bear Lake.

“Blake’s passion for produce, his deep community ties, and his proven track record in customer-driven sales make him a natural fit for our team,” said Todd Greiner, CEO/President of Todd Greiner Farms. “We’re thrilled to welcome him aboard.”

UNITED STATES - The retail footprint of Trader Joe's is growing once again as the company continues its steady march across the U.S. The latest addition? Hoover, Alabama.

The newly announced store will open its doors on Wednesday, May 14, with a grand opening celebration hosted by Captain Jason and Crew. Located at 1771 Montgomery Highway, the Hoover storefront marks another milestone in the retailer’s ongoing expansion.

Trader Joe's is set to open its newest store in Hoover, Alabama, on May 14.

“We've consulted our maps and compass and have found a terrific location for a store in Hoover, AL,” the company shared in a recent announcement. “We look forward to joining the neighborhood and welcoming our customers into a space filled with quality products and friendly faces.”

The Hoover store follows the retailer’s recent openings in Tarzana, California, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with Brookland, DC, also preparing for a launch the following day on May 15. A new Texas location in McKinney-West is also in the works.

Stay tuned with ANUK as we bring you the latest on this retailer’s continued expansion across the map.

SACRAMENTO, CA - Whether you’re planning on celebrating mom with brunch and a spa reservation or pizza and a paintball showdown, we here at AndNowUKnow hope you’re doing all you can to make Mother’s Day memorable.

It’s also why we’re asking you, our industry friends, to submit photos of your Mother’s Day celebrations for our annual yearbook!

You may be a mother yourself, wanting to pay respect to your own mother or a mother figure in your life, or both! Either way, we want to share a window into your own Mother’s Day celebrations this coming weekend.

So, grab a camera (or phone), snap a pic, and send it on over to your friends at ANUK. All we ask is that photo submissions are sent to [email protected] with a brief description of the photo and the names of everyone featured.

Please share your submissions by Tuesday, May 13, to be sure you have a spot in our Mother’s Day yearbook.

And with that, we wish you all a very happy Mother’s Day!