BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. total sales for the month of March 2007 increased by 10.0% to $790.8 million from $718.7 million for March 2006. On a comparable club basis, March sales increased by 5.5%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of approximately 2.1%, and a negative impact of 0.4% from the absence of pharmacy sales versus last year.

The Company completed the closing of its in-club pharmacies in February, 2007. The calendar shift in the timing of the pre-Easter holiday sales to March this year from April last year had a positive impact on comparable club sales of approximately 1.5% to 2%.

For March 2006, the Company reported a comparable club sales increase of 3.1%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 0.9%.

                   Sales Results for March 2007
                         ($ in thousands)

    Five Weeks Ended                           % Change
  April 7,     April 8,                   Net             Comp.
   2007         2006                      Sales           Sales
$ 790,837    $ 718,694                    10.0%           5.5%

    Nine Weeks Ended                           % Change
  April 7,     April 8,                   Net             Comp.
   2007         2006                      Sales           Sales
$1,392,618   $1,279,934                   8.8%            4.4%

The Company provided the following additional information regarding March 2007 comparable club sales for BJ's Wholesale Club:

  • Sales increased in weeks one, three, four, and five, with the highest increase in week five. Sales decreased in week two due primarily to unseasonably cold and snowy weather in the Northeast.
  • All regions showed positive sales increases, with the strongest gains in Upstate New York and Mid Atlantic and the smallest gain in the Southeast which is experiencing a higher level of competition and self cannibalization than BJ's other regions.
  • Excluding sales of gasoline, the average transaction amount increased by approximately 3% and traffic increased by approximately 1%.
  • Food sales increased by approximately 6% and general merchandise sales increased by approximately 1%.
  • Categories with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included dairy, deli, paper products, produce, soda & water and televisions. Weaker categories versus last year included DVDs, jewelry, lawn care, residential furniture and toys.

For the month of April, 2007, the Company expects to report comparable club sales in the range of flat to positive 2.0%. This estimate includes a contribution from sales of gasoline of approximately .5% to 1.5% and a negative impact from the Easter holiday calendar shift of approximately 2%, as well as a negative impact from a lack of pharmacy sales versus last year of approximately 40 basis points.