Costco, BJ's see monthly merch comps growth

ISSAQUAH, Wash. and NATICK, Mass. Costco Wholesale reported net sales of $5.62 billion for the month of January, an increase of 10% from $5.09 billion in the same four-week period last year. Total comparable-club sales, excluding fuel, were up 2% for the month, consisting of a 0% increase at U.S. clubs and a 9% increase internationally.

BJ’s Wholesale Club reported that total sales for the month of January increased by 13% to $742.6 million from $656.9 million in January 2009. Excluding gasoline sales, merchandise comparable-club sales increased by 2.9% in January. BJ’s reported that a calendar shift in the timing of the Super Bowl from January last year to February this year had a negative impact on its merchandise comparable-club sales of approximately 2%.