BJ's comps rise in July

NATICK, Mass. BJ's Wholesale Club today reported that sales for July increased by 6% to $650.5 million from $613.9 million in July 2006. On a comparable-club basis, July sales increased by 1.5%, including a negative impact of 0.6% from sales of gasoline and a negative impact of 0.4% from the absence of pharmacy sales versus last year. In 2006, the company reported a comparable-club sales increase of 1.9% for July, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1.1%.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 4, total sales increased by 8.2% to $2.25 billion and comparable-club sales increased by 3.7%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 0.7% and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales last year of 0.4%. For the second quarter of 2006, the company reported a total sales increase of 5.7% and a comparable-club sales increase of 1.8%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1.9%.

Herb Zarkin, BJ's chairman, president and ceo commented, "For the second quarter, comparable-club sales results were consistent with our guidance and showed positive momentum from the first quarter. Excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 1% for the quarter and the average transaction amount increased by approximately 3%. Comparable-club sales of food increased by approximately 5% and general merchandise sales increased by approximately 0.5%."

For the 26-week period ended Aug. 4, total sales increased by 7.4% and comparable-club sales increased by 3%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1.1% and a negative impact from the absence of pharmacy sales versus last year of 0.4%.