NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. (NYSE: BJ) today reported that sales for December 2010 increased by 7.3% to $1.25 billion from $1.16 billion in December 2009. Comparable club sales for December 2010 increased by 3.8%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.4%. Excluding the impact of gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by approximately 1.4%. More favorable weather conditions compared to last year had a positive impact on comparable club sales of approximately 1%.
For December 2009, the Company reported a comparable club sales increase of 4.8%. Excluding gasoline, merchandise comparable club sales increased by 2.7%. A severe winter storm in the Northeast on the weekend before Christmas had a negative impact on merchandise comparable club sales of 2% to 2.5%.
| Five Weeks Ended January 1, 2011 | Forty-Eight Weeks Ended January 1, 2011 | ||||||
| Comparable club sales | 3.8% | 4.7% | |||||
| Impact of gasoline sales | 2.4% | 2.0% | |||||
| Merchandise comparable club sales | 1.4% | 2.7% | |||||
| Sales Results for December 2010 ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Five Weeks Ended | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 1, 2011 | January 2, 2010 | Net Sales | Comp. Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $1,247,601 | $1,162,247 | 7.3% | 3.8% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Forty-Eight Weeks Ended | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 1, 2011 | January 2, 2010 | Net Sales | Comp. Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $9,987,777 | $9,211,932 | 8.4% | 4.7% | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Company provided the following additional information regarding comparable club sales for December 2010:
* Sales increased in weeks one, two and four. Sales decreased in weeks three and five. The decrease in week five was due primarily to a severe winter storm in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
* Comparable club sales increased in all major regions with the exception of Metro New York, where the winter storm in week five had the biggest impact. The strongest increase was in the Southeast region.
* Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 2% versus last year and the average transaction amount was approximately flat.
* Sales of food increased by approximately 2% and sales of general merchandise increased by approximately 1%.
* Departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included cheese, coffee, computers, dairy, deli, fresh bakery, health and wellness, meat, milk, prepared foods, produce, seasonal, video games and wine. Departments with weaker sales compared to last year included baby food, books, diapers, household chemicals, paper, plates/utensils and pre-recorded video.
About BJ's Wholesale Club
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 Wholesale Club operates 194 warehouse clubs in 15 states. BJ's press releases and filings with the SEC are available on the Internet at www.bjsinvestor.com.
Other Press Releases Issued Today
In separate press releases issued today, the Company announced management changes and strategic actions to optimize performance. Both of these press releases are available at www.bjsinvestor.com.
Fourth Quarter and Year-end Conference Call Scheduled for March 2, 2011
On Wednesday, March 2, 2011, BJ's management plans to announce the Company's financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending January 29, 2011. Also on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, the Company plans to hold a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss fourth quarter and full year results. To access the webcast, visit www.bjsinvestor.com. An archive of the webcast will be available for approximately 90 days.
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