Question

_{Hpw well is sams club operating?}

	Aug. 31, 2014				Sept. 1, 2013				Sept. 2, 2012				Aug. 28, 2011				Aug. 29, 2010
As of and for the year ended	(52 weeks)				(52 weeks)				(53 weeks)				(52 weeks)				(52 weeks)
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales	$	110,212			$	102,870			$	97,062			$	87,048			$	76,255
Merchandise costs	98,458				91,948				86,823				77,739				67,995
Gross margin	11,754				10,922				10,239				9,309				8,260
Membership fees	2,428				2,286				2,075				1,867				1,691
Operating income	3,220				3,053				2,759				2,439				2,077
Net income attributable to Costco(1)	2,058				2,039				1,709				1,462				1,303
Net income per diluted common share attributable to Costco	4.65				4.63				3.89				3.30				2.92
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	1.33			$	8.17			$	1.03			$	0.89			$	0.77
Increase in comparable warehouse sales(2)
United States	5		%		6		%		7		%		7		%		4		%
International	3		%		6		%		6		%		16		%		19		%
Total	4		%		6		%		7		%		10		%		7		%
Increase in international comparable warehouse sales in local currency	7		%		6		%		8		%		10		%		8		%
BALANCE SHEET DATA(3)
Net property and equipment	$	14,830			$	13,881			$	12,961			$	12,432			$	11,314
Total assets	33,024				30,283				27,140				26,761				23,815
Current portion of long-term debt	—				—				1				900				—
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	5,093				4,998				1,381				1,253				2,141
Costco stockholders’ equity	$	12,303			$	10,833			$	12,361			$	12,002			$	10,829
WAREHOUSE INFORMATION
Warehouses in Operation(4)
Beginning of year(4)	634				608				592				572				527
Opened(5)	30				26				17				24				14
Closed(5)	(1		)		0				(1		)		(4		)		(1		)
End of year	663				634				608				592				540

_______________

Answer 1

^{By looking at the provided data, it can be said that the sam clubs is operating well based on the below reasons:}

^{a. The gross margin as well as gross margin percentage has increased or performed constantly over the years. Where gross margin percentage can be calculated by dividing gross margin by net sales.}

^{b. The operating margin and operating margin percentage has grown or performed constantly over the years.}

^{c. The warehouse sales are increasing. Since increase in warehouse sales is positive.}

^{d. The assets of the comcomp has grown over the years.}

^{e. The no. of warehouses have increased over the years.}