BJs Wholesale Club, Inc. reported that total sales for the month of January 2008 increased by 11.2% to $652.0 million from $586.3 million for January 2007. On a comparable club basis, January sales increased by 7.8%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.6% and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales of 0.3%.
For the fourth quarter of 2007, total sales increased by 9.2% to $2.4 billion, and comparable club sales increased by 5.4%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.4% and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales of approximately 0.4%.
For the 52-week year ended February 2, 2008, total sales rose by 8.1% to $8.8 billion and comparable club sales increased by 3.7%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1.1% and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales of 0.4%.
Sales Results for January 2008 | |||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Four Weeks Ended | % Change | ||||||||||||
| February 2, | February 3, | Net | Comp. | ||||||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | Sales | Sales | ||||||||||
| $ | 651,961 | $ | 586,251 | 11.2% | 7.8% | ||||||||
Fifty-two Weeks Ended | % Change | ||||||||||||
| February 2, | February 3, | Net | Comp. | ||||||||||
| 2008 | 2007 | Sales | Sales | ||||||||||
| $ | 8,814,004 | $ | 8,156,885 | 8.1% | 3.7% | ||||||||
| Four Weeks Ended February 2, 2008 | Q-4 Ended February 2, 2008 | Fifty-two Weeks Ended February 2, 2008 | |||
| Merchandise comparable club sales | 5.5% | 3.4% | 3.0% | |||
| Impact of gasoline sales | 2.6% | 2.4% | 1.1% | |||
| Impact of pharmacy closures | -0.3% | -0.4% | -0.4% | |||
| Comparable club sales | 7.8% | 5.4% | 3.7% |
The Company provided the following additional information regarding January 2008 comparable club sales:
- Sales increased in all four weeks, with the strongest increases in weeks one and two.
- By region, the largest sales increases were in Upstate New York and Metro New York and the smallest increase was in the Southeast.
- Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 1% and the average transaction amount increased by approximately 5%.
- Sales of food increased by approximately 8% and general merchandise sales increased by approximately 2%.
Merchandise departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included candy, cheese, dairy, disposable plates, cups and cutlery, frozen, health and beauty aids, household chemicals, juices, meat, oils and shortenings, paper products, produce, soda & water, televisions and video games. Weaker departments versus last year included apparel, cigarettes, computer equipment, pre-recorded video, residential furniture and tires.
