Investors suspected that a special dividend was coming soon, but Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) has now confirmed the timing of that windfall. A $15-per-share cash payout will land in shareholders' accounts on Jan. 12, assuming they own the stock as of Dec. 28.

The retailer's management team prefers these large, one-time payouts over the more predictable dividend growth favored by rivals like . That's one more way that Costco stands out in the retailing niche.

Here are three other key things to know about Costco's $15 payout.

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Source Fool.com