020433 Food Sales Boost BJ's Wholesale

Natick, MA - BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. , which operates discount warehouse stores, on Thursday reported that sales at stores open at least a year rose 4.8% in March, on robust food sales, and reaffirmed its first-quarter earnings target.

Natick, Massachusetts-based BJ's said it sees its April same-store sales rising in a range of 3% to 5%.

It backed its first-quarter earnings view of 31 cents to 33 cents a share before a House2Home lease indemnification expense.

The retailer said total sales for the five weeks ended April 6 climbed to $483.5 million, from $431.9 million a year earlier.

Chief Executive Jack Nugent said BJ's saw strong sales last month of bakery items, candy, meat, produce and water, and increases in health and beauty aids.

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