Costco, BJ's report March sales

ISSAQUAH, Wash. and NATICK, Mass. Costco and BJ's report Easter-impacted March sales.

Costco Wholesale reported net sales of $7.14 billion for the month of March,  an increase of 12% from $6.4 billion in the same five-week period last year. According to the company, the Easter shift impacted its March  total and comparable sales by approximately 1% to 2%.

Costco's total comparable-club sales, excluding fuel, were up 3% for the month. This included a 2% increase at U.S. clubs and a 7% increase at international clubs.                             

BJ’s Wholesale Club reported that sales for March  increased by 15.7% to $1 billion from $870.3 million in March 2009. Comparable-club sales, excluding gasoline sales, increased by 7.3%. A calendar shift in the timing of Easter had a positive impact on merchandise comparable club sales of approximately 2%, according to BJ's.