BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (NYSE:BJ) today reported that sales for August 2009 decreased by 1.9% to $757.6 million from $772.6 million in August 2008. On a comparable club basis, sales for August 2009 decreased by 6.0%, including a negative impact of 8.2% from lower gasoline prices and discount tiffany versus last year. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 2.2%. A calendar shift in the timing of Labor Day weekend had a negative impact on comparable club sales of approximately 2%, and the elimination of an annual tax-free weekend in Massachusetts had a negative impact of approximately 0.8%.
The Company provided the following additional information regarding comparable club sales for August 2009:
– Including the negative impact of lower gasoline prices and volumes versus last year, comparable club sales decreased in all four weeks. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased in weeks one, two and three and decreased in week four. The decrease in week four reflected a calendar shift in pre- Labor Day sales from August last year to September this year.
– By major region, sales increased in Metro New York and decreased in all other Return to Tiffany heart tag Charm and bracelet. Excluding gasoline, sales increased in all major regions, with the highest increase in Metro New York.
– Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 4% versus last year and the average transaction amount decreased by approximately 2%.
– Sales of food increased by approximately 4% and reflected significant price deflation in a number of perishable departments, including dairy, eggs, fresh meat, milk and produce. Sales of general merchandise were approximately flat to last year.
– Departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included air conditioners, breakfast needs, candy, cigarettes, computer equipment, frozen, health and beauty aids, household chemicals, housewares, paper products, pet food, prepared foods, produce and small appliances.
– Departments with weaker sales compared to last year included apparel, electronics, jewelry, meat, Return to Tiffany Heart tag ring, pre-recorded video, sporting goods, storage, televisions and tires.
The Company currently operates 184 BJ’s Wholesale clubs and 103 gasoline stations in 15 states. BJ’s introduced the wholesale club concept to New England in 1984 and has since expanded to become a leading warehouse chain in the eastern United States. BJ’s press releases and filings with the SEC are available on the Internet at www.bjs.com.