BJ's monthly comps up, Costco down

With Sam’s Club no longer reporting monthly sales, BJ’s and Costco are left to give a picture of the warehouse space.

BJ’s reported that sales for June decreased by 4.8% to $1 billion, from $1.05 billion in June 2008. The company reported a 2.7% increase in comparable-store sales, excluding fuel.  

Costco reported net sales of $6.88 billion for the month of June, the five weeks ended July 5, a decrease of 4% from $7.15 billion in the same five-week period last year. The company’s U.S. comps, excluding fuel, were down 1%.

BJ’s claimed unseasonably cool and wet weather throughout the month across the Northeast had a negative impact on merchandise comparable-club sales of approximately 1% to 2%. Costco did not provide a reason for its comps decline in its press release on monthly sales, however once can conclude that it was affected by similar factors as BJ’s.