BJ’s March Comps Rise 7.3% Excluding Gas Sales

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. reported that sales for March 2010 increased by 15.7% to $1.0 billion from $870.3 million in March 2009. Comparable club sales increased by 10.6% for the month of March 2010, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 3.3%. Excluding gasoline sales, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 7.3%. A calendar shift in the timing of Easter had a positive impact on merchandise comparable club sales of approximately 2%.

The Company provided the following additional information regarding comparable club sales for March 2010:

• By week, the strongest sales were in weeks one and five. Strong sales in week one were due in part to a recovery of lost sales during the last week of February when the mid-Atlantic region was hit by a severe snow storm. Strong sales in week five reflected the benefit of pre-Easter sales, which fell into week one of April last year. 
• Sales increased in all regions with the strongest increases in the Southeast and Upstate New York. 
• Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 7%, reflecting a benefit from the Easter holiday shift, and the average transaction amount was approximately flat versus last year. 
• Sales of food increased by approximately 9% and general merchandise sales increased by about 5%. 
• Departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included apparel, bakery, candy, dairy, deli, eggs, frozen foods, furniture, health & beauty aids, housewares, juices, lawn & garden, meat, milk, prepared foods, produce, summer seasonal, small appliances, snacks and wine. Weaker departments versus last year included household chemicals, televisions, tires and video games.