NEW YORK (Reuters) - Costco Wholesale Corp (COST.O: Quote, Profile, Research), the biggest U.S. warehouse club operator, said on Thursday its quarterly profit jumped 32 percent, beating expectations, as shoppers flocked to its stores for discounts on food and gasoline.

Costco and its rivals like Wal-Mart Stores Inc’s (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc (BJ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) have emerged as bright spots in the struggling U.S. retail sector, as cash-strapped shoppers, worried about the weakening U.S. economy, increasingly seek out deals in the clubs.

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