BJ’s Reports 0.5% Dip in September Same-Store Sales

The company provided the following additional information regarding comparable club sales for September 2009:

    * Merchandise sales excluding gasoline increased in weeks one, two, three and five and decreased slightly in week four.
    * Excluding the negative impact of lower gasoline prices and volumes versus last year, comparable club sales increased in all major markets. The New England and Metro New York regions had the strongest increases.
    * Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 7% versus last year. The average transaction amount decreased by approximately 1%, and reflected continued deflation in a number of high velocity departments, including dairy, eggs, meat, milk, oils & shortenings, plastic trash bags and televisions.
    * Sales of food increased by approximately 6%, driven by strong sales of perishable foods. Sales of general merchandise increased by approximately 5%, driven primarily by best seller books, computers and televisions.
    * Departments with strong comparable club sales increases compared to last year included bakery, books, candy, cigarettes, computers, deli, domestics, frozen, health & beauty, household chemicals, housewares, juices, meat, paper, pet food, prepared foods, produce, small appliances, snacks and televisions. Weaker departments versus last year included electronics, jewelry, milk, sporting goods, toys, trash bags and water.