BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. sales for December 2006 increased by 5.0% to $1.014 billion from $965.6 million in December 2005. On a comparable club basis, sales increased by 0.6% for the month of December, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of approximately 100 basis points. Last year, the Company reported a comparable club sales increase of 1.4% for December, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 40 basis points.
For the month of January 2007, the Company expects comparable club sales to increase by 1% to 3%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of approximately 1%. The Company now expects that lower-than-planned sales and margins during the fourth quarter will have a negative impact on fourth quarter and full year earnings of approximately $.18 to $.20 per diluted share.
