Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST) has been a good buy over the past year, delivering returns of 11% while the S&P 500 has struggled, falling 12% over the same time frame. Consumers see lots of value in Costco's stores, which allow paying members to save with bulk purchases, and there are those who simply enjoy the treasure-hunt experience Costco can offer.

Its popularity is evident in its sales numbers, which continue to look strong while other retailers have struggled as the pandemic's grip on the economy and consumer behavior has loosened. And there's one impressive streak the company has been on that goes back more than two years.

Every month, Costco releases comparable-store sales numbers for its different business units (e.g., the U.S., Canada, international, and e-commerce). The chart below displays the monthly comps growth for both the total company, and the U.S. segment, which accounts for the bulk of its business.

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Source Fool.com