BJ's Posts Strong Sales in Food, Softer in Home

摘要

BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. is counting on its recent and significant uptick in traffic to sustain its otherwise floundering discretionary categories - including home -this year.rnThe 181-club retailer, with a presence in 15 states, experienced a traffic increase of about 7% - excluding the sale of gasoline - during the first quarter, representing "our strongest result in about five years," said Frank Forward, evp and cfo, during BJ's first-quarter earnings call late last month.rnAdditionally, the chain also posted a 1% increase in average transaction.rn"Pockets of strength in discretionary categories," said Laura Sen, president, have been in areas like computers and TVs.rnBut she added that in terms of apparel, jewelry and home, "we're probably much better than the world because of our traffic. We have more people-passing by and a better chance to sell some of that product."