Club & Warehouse

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — A larger-than-expected inventory charge may have dinged Costco’s third quarter earnings per share, but strong membership upgrade numbers and a dozen fourth quarter openings bode well for the company’s future performance.

U.S. Preventive Medicine's new version of a health management solution for small businesses now is available at Sam's Club.

It’s true. Sam’s Club smoked its first quarter same-store sales guidance that called for a 1% to 3% increase by hanging a 4.2% increase on the board and managed to grow operating profits by 7% to $459 million, easily outpacing the performance of Walmart’s U.S. stores and international division.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — BJ’s Wholesale Club reported net income of $33.7 million, or 62 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter ended April 30. Results for the first quarter of 2011 exceeded the company’s guidance for net income in the range of $29.5 million to $31.5 million, or 54 cents to 58 cents per diluted share.

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ’s Wholesale Club reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 rose to $33.7 million, beating its guidance range of $29.5 million to $31.5 million.

Net sales for first quarter 2011 increased 10% to $2.77 billion and same-store club sales rose 6.3%.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter ended April 30 rose 3% to $3.39 billion, beating Wall Street estimates. Overall results were powered by overseas stores and stringent cost controls, but business in the United States remains soft as U.S. Walmart stores posted an eighth straight quarter of same-store declines.

Wal-Mart's U.S. division recorded a 0.3% dip in same-store revenue, dragged down by a 1.1% drop at its namesake stores. Same-store sales increased 4.2% at Sam’s Club warehouse stores.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart reported first-quarter earnings that were above the company's guidance, reflecting stability and strength in global operations, according to president and CEO, Mike Duke.

Walmart's net income was $3.4 billion, or 98 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $3.3 billion, or 87 cents per diluted share. 

ISSAQUAH, Washington — Wedding season is here, and future brides who want to score a high-fashion gown, without spending their entire wedding budget, may soon be flocking to Costco. Beginning this month and continuing through August, select Costco stores throughout the country will hold special four-day trunk shows featuring the wedding gowns of designer Kirstie Kelly.