Club & Warehouse

Costco Wholesale Corporation on Wednesday reported net sales of $12.5 billion for the month of December, which includes the five weeks ended Jan. 3, 2016, an increase of 3%.

For the 18 weeks ended Jan. 3, 2016, the company reported net sales of $41.7 billion, an increase of 2%.

Comparable sales across Costco's U.S. network were up 3% across both time frames.

BJ's Wholesale Club has promoted its COO to president and chief executive officer just months after recruiting him from Hess Retail Corp.

The club retailer announced that Christopher J. Baldwin, BJ's president and chief operating officer, has been named president and CEO, succeeding Laura J. Sen, who is assuming the role of non-executive chairman. The appointment is effective Feb. 1.

Don’t be fooled by Costco’s tepid sales growth and first quarter profit decline. The company is accelerating expansion and pursuing some intriguing digital partnerships while members continue to renew at record rates.

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. -- Kimco Realty Corp. announced that it purchased Christown Spectrum power center in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona for $115.3 million. The property is an 850,000 sq. ft. center situated one mile east of Interstate 17 and lies adjacent to the second-busiest light rail station in Phoenix.

BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. is preparing to open its first store in a new state.

GBT Realty Corporation, a national commercial development company headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, is developing the BJ’s Wholesale Club in South Carolina, in the city of Summerville. The $12 million development is situated on a 10.5-acre site. The 87,800-sq. ft. membership warehouse club that will feature a BJ’s gas station is expected to open in late 2016. Construction is set to commence immediately following the acquisition of the site in December.

Sam’s Club is introducing a new way for shoppers to get a head start on their holiday shopping: Pre-Black Friday.

The nation’s eighth largest retailer and the warehouse division of Walmart is planning to give Sam's Club members early access to exclusive savings on some of the most sought-after holiday items and Thanksgiving meal must-haves.

October was a good month for Costco, which reported growth in same-store and total sales.

The club retailer posted a 4% increase in U.S. same-store sales for October, excluding gasoline price deflation and currency fluctuation. sThe comp increase was 5% for the whole company.

For the month, the company saw $8.78 billion in net sales and $19.53 billion over the four weeks. Though Costco’s U.S. sales saw a slight increase, its Canadian stores saw an 8% decrease in same-store sales for the month and a 9% decline over four weeks.

Veteran Safeway merchant Toby Noiles has joined Sam’s Club in a senior role as the warehouse club operator creates a new organizational structure for its food and beverage business.

Noiles was named senior VP and general merchandise manager of grocery and beverage and joins Sam’s Club from the online grocery delivery company Fresh Direct where she served as chief merchandising officer. Noiles was with Fresh Direct only seven months but prior to that she spent 29 years with Safeway and held a wide range of merchandising roles.