BJ's merch comps up 4%

NATICK, Mass. BJ’s Wholesale Club reported that sales for May 2009 decreased by 4.7% to $783.4 million, from $822 million in May 2008. Comparable-club sales, excluding the impact of gasoline sales, increased by 4%.

“Our merchandise comparable club sales increase of 4.0% was a good result in this economy, although it was slightly below our guidance,” said president and CEO Laura Sen. “Traffic continued strong, increasing by 5% over last year. Overall, May sales results reflected continued strength in food and consumables, televisions and computer equipment, partly offset by ongoing softness in discretionary departments such as apparel, jewelry and sporting goods, and a slightly increased impact from price deflation in certain areas of perishable foods.”

Departments with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included air conditioners, breakfast foods, candy, computer equipment, frozen, health & beauty, household chemicals, paper, pet food, produce, snacks, soda, televisions and water. Weaker departments versus last year included apparel, electronics, jewelry, oils and shortening, pre-recorded video, sporting goods, summer seasonal, tires and trash bags.