BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. reported that sales for January 2011 increased 6.5% to $779.8 million from $732.5 million in January 2010. Comparable club sales for January 2011 increased by 2.7%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.4%.

Excluding the impact of gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by approximately 0.3%. Severe snow storms affecting the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions had a negative impact on merchandise comparable club sales of approximately 2.5%.

For January 2010, the company reported a comparable club sales increase of 8.4%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of approximately 5.5%. Excluding gasoline sales, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 2.9% in January 2010.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, 2011, total sales increased by 7.3% to $2.9 billion from $2.7 billion last year, and comparable club sales increased by 3.8%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.1%. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 1.7%. For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, 2010, comparable club sales increased by 4.6%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.3%. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 2.3%.

For the year ended Jan. 29, 2011, total sales increased by 8.3% to $10.6 billion from $9.8 billion last year, and comparable club sales increased by 4.4%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.0%. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 2.4%. For the year ended Jan. 30, 2010, comparable club sales decreased by 1.9%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of 5.9%. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 4.0%.

 
 
 

Four Weeks Ended
January 29, 2011
 
 

Thirteen Weeks Ended
January 29, 2011
 
 

Fifty-two Weeks Ended
January 29, 2011
Comparable club sales
 
 
 2.7%
 
 
 3.8%
 
 
 4.4%

Impact of gasoline sales
 
 
2.4%
 
 
2.1%
 
 
2.0%
Merchandise comparable club sales
 
 
 0.3%
 
 
 1.7%
 
 
 2.4%


 
 

 
 

 
 










 

Sales Results for January 2011


($ in thousands)


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Four Weeks Ended









% Change

January 29,
2011

 
 
 
 
 

January 30,
2010











Net
Sales

 
 
 
 
 

Comp.
Sales

$
779,793





$
732,512










6.5
%






2.7
%
Thirteen Weeks Ended









% Change

January 29,
2011






January 30,
2010











Net
Sales






Comp.
Sales

$
2,898,149





$
2,701,227










7.3
%






3.8
%
Fifty-Two Weeks Ended









% Change

January 29,
2011






January 30,
2010











Net
Sales






Comp.
Sales

$
10,631,312





$
9,820,906










8.3
%






4.4
%


The company provided the following additional information regarding
comparable club sales for January 2011:


  • Sales increased in weeks one, three and four. Sales were flat in week
    two, due primarily to winter storms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
    regions.

  • Comparable club sales increased in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and
    Upstate New York regions, with the highest increase in the Southeast.
    Sales decreased in the New England and Metro New York regions.

  • Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic was approximately flat to last
    year and the average transaction amount increased by approximately 1%.

  • Sales of food increased by approximately 2% and sales of general
    merchandise decreased by approximately 2%.

  • Departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year
    included dairy, deli, health and wellness, meat, milk, prepared foods,
    produce, small appliances and winter supplies. Departments with weaker
    sales compared to last year included apparel, baby food, beauty care,
    diapers, plates/utensils, pre-recorded video, soda, televisions and
    water.