Costco and BJ's see comps growth

ISSAQUAH, Wash. and NATICK, Mass. Costco and BJ's each reported their sales results for the month of May.

Costco reported net sales of $6.09 billion for the month, an increase of eleven percent from $5.47 billion in the same four-week period last year. Excluding the impact of gas, U.S. comparable-store sales were up 5%, international comps rose 9% and total company same-store sales were up 5%. According to the company, the Memorial Day holiday shift impacted total and comparable sales by about 2% (3% in the United States).

BJ's Wholesale Club reported that sales for the month increased by 11.3% to $871.9 million, from $783.4 million in May 2009. Comparable-club sales for May, excluding gasoline, increased by 3.5%. According to the company, sales increased in all regions with the largest increase in the Southeast and the smallest increase in Metro New York. Departments with the strongest sales increases compared with last year included air conditioners, bakery, candy, cigarettes, dairy, frozen, housewares, juices, meat, milk, produce, snacks, seasonal and small appliances. Weaker departments versus last year included computers, household chemicals, paper products and televisions.