BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. reported that sales for February 2008 increased by 9% to $655.7 million from $601.8 million. On a comparable club basis, sales increased by 5.9%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.7%. Comp gains exceeded 6% in weeks one and two and exceeded 10% in week four. During week three, sales were negatively impacted by heavy snow and rain in the Northeast.

Sales increased in all regions with the highest increase in Upstate New York and the smallest increase in New England. Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 1.0% and the average transaction amount increased by approximately 3%.

Sales of food increased by approximately 7% and general merchandise sales decreased by about 2%. Departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included juices, frozen foods, health and beauty, meat, paper, pet foods, prepared foods, produce, snacks, televisions and toys. Weaker departments versus last year included apparel, cigarettes, furniture, prerecorded video, storage, tires and wine.

For February 2007, the club operator reported a comparable club sales increase of 3%, including a positive impact from gasoline sales of 0.9% and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales of 0.4%.
   
For the first quarter of 2008, the company expects merchandise comparable club sales, excluding the impact from sales of gasoline, to increase by 4% to 6%. Taking into account a calendar shift in the Easter holiday, the company expects comparable club sales to increase by 1% to 3% in March, and 10% to 12% in April. All BJ’s clubs will be closed on Sunday, March 23, 2008 for the Easter holiday.

For the first quarter of 2007, merchandise comparable club sales, excluding the impact of gasoline and pharmacy, increased by 1.3%. Merchandise comparable club sales by month for the first quarter of 2007 increased by 2.5% in February and 3.8% in March, and declined by 2.9% in April. Including the impact of gasoline and pharmacy, comparable club sales increased by 3.0% in February and 5.5% in March, and declined by 2.1% in April. All BJ’s clubs were closed on Sunday, April 8, 2007 for the Easter holiday.

The company currently operates 177 BJ’s Wholesale clubs in 16 states.