Warehouse clubs lose luster in April

New York City Fewer selling days had an unfavorable impact on the warehouse-club category in April, as Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s Club all experienced sales and comp-sales declines during the month.

April sales at Costco Wholesale Corp. dropped 6% to $5.18 billion, and same-store sales fell 8%, which was within analysts’ expectations. The company attributed the declines to the timing of the Easter holiday, which shortened the selling period from 28 days last year to 27 days this year.

BJ's April sales slipped as well. The company attributed the negative results to a slowdown at the gas pump as well as to the fewer selling days. Same-store sales fell 4.9%, led by a sales decline in gasoline of 10.4%. Excluding the impact of gas sales, same-store sales increased 5.5%.

Wal-Mart Stores reported Thursday that April same-store sales at its Sam's Club division edged up 0.3%, unfavorably affected by the lost selling day.