BJs Wholesale Club, Inc. reported that sales for July 2009 decreased by 6.3% to $722.5 million from $771.3 million in July 2008. On a comparable club basis, July 2009 sales decreased by 9.1%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of 10.9%. Merchandise comparable club sales, excluding the impact of gasoline, increased by 1.8%.
In 2008, the Company reported a comparable club sales increase of 16.7% for July, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 9.7%. Excluding the impact of gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 7.0%.
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Four Weeks Ended |
Thirteen Weeks Ended |
Twenty-six Weeks Ended |
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| Merchandise comparable club sales | 1.8% | 2.9% | 5.0% | |||
| Impact of gasoline sales | (10.9%) | (10.6%) | (9.8%) | |||
| Comparable club sales | (9.1%) | (7.7%) | (4.8%) |
For the second quarter ended August 1, 2009, total sales decreased by 5.2% to $2.5 billion, and comparable club sales decreased by 7.7%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of 10.6%. Excluding the impact of gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 2.9%. For the second quarter of 2008, the Company reported a comparable club sales increase of 15.5%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 8.1%.
For the 26-week period ended August 1, 2009, total sales decreased by 2.7% and comparable club sales decreased by 4.8%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of 9.8%. Excluding the impact of gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 5.0%. For the 26-week period ended August 2, 2008, comparable club sales increased by 12.7%, including a contribution of 6.2% from gasoline.
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Sales Results for July |
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($ in thousands) |
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| Four Weeks Ended | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
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August 1, |
August 2, |
Net |
Comp. |
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| $ | 722,548 | $ | 771,277 | (6.3 | %) | (9.1 | %) | ||||||||||||
| Twenty-six Weeks Ended | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
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August 1, |
August 2, |
Net |
Comp. |
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| $ | 4,765,637 | $ | 4,897,508 | (2.7 | %) | (4.8 | %) | ||||||||||||
The Company provided the following additional information regarding
comparable club sales for July 2009:
* Including the negative impact of lower gasoline prices and volumes versus last year, comparable club sales decreased in all four weeks. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased in weeks one, two and four, with the highest increase in week one.
* By major region, sales increased in Metro New York and decreased in all other regions due to the negative impact of lower gasoline prices and volumes versus last year. Excluding gasoline, sales decreased in Upstate New York and increased in all other regions, with the largest increases in Metro New York and New England.
* Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 4% for July, 4% for the second quarter and 5% for the first half of the year. The average transaction amount decreased by approximately 2% for the month of July, 1% for the second quarter and was approximately flat for the first half of the year.
* On a comparable club basis, food sales increased by approximately 4% for July; 6% for the second quarter and 7% for the first half of the year. Food sales for the second quarter reflected significant price deflation in a number of perishable departments, including dairy, eggs, fresh meat, milk and produce. General merchandise sales decreased by approximately 3% for July; 2% for the second quarter and increased by 1% for the first half of the year.
* For the month of July, departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included bakery, breakfast needs, candy, cigarettes, deli, frozen, health and beauty aids, household chemicals, housewares, meat, paper products, pet food, prepared foods, produce and salty snacks. Departments with weaker sales compared to last year included air conditioners, apparel, electronics, jewelry, juices, milk, sporting goods, storage, tires, trash bags and water.
