BJs Wholesale Club, Inc. sales for October 2007 increased by 9.2% to $663.8 million from $607.9 million in October 2006. Comparable club sales increased by 4.8% for the month, including a contribution from gasoline sales of 1.7% and a negative impact from lack of pharmacy sales worth 0.4%.
Last year, the Company reported a comparable club sales decrease for October of 0.7%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of 2.5%.
For the third quarter ended November 3, 2007, total sales increased by 8.1% to $2.12 billion, and comparable club sales increased by 3.4%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of 0.2% and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales versus last year worth 0.4%. For the third quarter ended October 28, 2006, comparable club sales increased by 0.1%, including a negative impact from sales of gasoline of 0.6%.
For the first nine months of fiscal 2007, total sales increased by 7.6% and comparable club sales increased by 3.1%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 0.7% and a negative impact from lack of pharmacy sales worth 0.4%.
October sales increased in all major regions with the highest increase in Metro New York and the lowest increase in the Southeast.
Sales increased in all four weeks with the highest increase in week one and the lowest increase in week three.
Excluding sales of gasoline, the average transaction amount for the month of October increased by approximately 3% and traffic was approximately flat. For the third quarter, the average transaction amount increased by approximately 5% and traffic decreased by approximately 1%.
Food sales increased by approximately 5% for the month of October and 6% for the third quarter. General merchandise sales were approximately flat in October and increased by approximately 2% for the third quarter.
For the month of October, categories with strong comparable club sales increases included coffee, dairy, frozen, juices, meat, milk, office supplies, produce, soda and water and televisions. Weaker categories versus last year included apparel, automotive & tools, cigarettes, prerecorded video, residential furniture and tires.
