Food drives BJ's March sales growth

NATICK, Mass. BJ's Wholesale Club reported that sales for March 2008 increased by 8.5% to $858.1 million from $790.9 million in March 2007. On a comparable-club basis, sales increased by 6% for the month of March, including a contribution of 3.4% from sales of gasoline.

The company reported that sales increased in all regions with the highest increase in Upstate New York and the smallest increase in the New England region. Sales of food increased by approximately 5% and general merchandise sales decreased by about 1%.