BJs Wholesale Club, Inc. reported comps during September climbed 10.4%. Excluding gasoline sales, merchandise comps were ahead 5.6%. Total sales advanced 11.8% to $892.8 million from $798.9 million.
The warehouse club operator provided the following additional information regarding comparable club sales for September 2008:
* Sales increased in all five weeks with the highest increases in weeks one and five and the smallest increases in weeks two and three.
* Sales increases were roughly the same in all major regions with the exception of upstate
* Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 4% versus last year and the average transaction amount increased by approximately 1%.
* Sales of food increased by approximately 10%, driven by strong sales of perishable foods. Sales of general merchandise decreased by approximately 3%, due in part to lower sales of televisions, jewelry and toys versus last year.
* Departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included bakery, baking needs, candy, coffee, computers, dairy, full service deli, health & beauty, household chemicals, meat, oils & shortenings, pet food, paper, pasta, prepared dinners, produce and snacks. Weaker departments versus last year included cigarettes, electronics, jewelry, juices, pre-recorded video, storage, televisions and toys.
