Natick, Mass. – Encouraged by recent sales trends, BJ’s Wholesale Club recorded fiscal second quarter sales of $1.6 billion, a 13.9 percent increase over the $1.4 billion reported in the year-ago period.
Comparable-store sales jumped 6.6 percent in the second quarter, ended August 2, including a 3.6 percent contribution from gasoline sales.
Net income for the second quarter, however, dropped 39 percent, to $22 million, down from $35.9 million in the second three months of 2002. The company cited markdowns and higher expenses for the lower profit picture. Also, the $22 million included a post-tax gain of $400,000 for reducing the company’s reserves for House2Home lease obligations.
In the first half, BJ’s sales climbed 14.7 percent, hitting $3.1 billion, up from $2.7 billion in the same period a year ago. Comp-store sales in the second half rose 6.2 percent, including a 4.1 percent contribution from gasoline sales.
Cost of second quarter sales, that included buying and occupancy costs, increased to $1.5 billion, up 16 percent from the $1.3 billion reported in the same three months a year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses jumped 23 percent, to $126.3 million, compared with $102.7 million year-on-year.
Second-half net income came in at $33.2 million, down from $59 million in the comparable period in 2002. Income for the first six months of this year included a charge of $1.3 million for changes in financial accounting and a post-tax gain of $1.1 million as a result of reserve reductions for House2Home lease obligations.
