BJ's Wholesale Club Announces December Sales Results: Confirms Fourth

    Business Editors

    NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2005--BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. (NYSE: BJ) today reported that sales for December 2004 increased by 9.0% to $924.4 million from $847.8 million in December 2003. On a comparable club basis, sales increased by 5.6% for the month of December including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1.4%. In December, 2003, the Company reported a comparable club sales increase of 6.6% including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1%.
    Commenting on BJ's December sales, president and CEO, Mike Wedge, said, "Comparable club sales results for the month of December reflect continued strength in food and gasoline sales partially offset by soft general merchandise sales. We ended the month with a very clean inventory position."

Sales Results for December ($ in thousands) Five Weeks Ended % Change January 1, January 3, Net Comp. 2005 2004 Sales Sales $ 924,404 $ 847,837 9.0% 5.6%

Forty-eight Weeks Ended % Change January 1, January 3, Net Comp. 2005 2004 Sales Sales $ 6,724,222 $ 6,081,347 10.6% 6.3%

    The Company provided the following additional information regarding December sales:
    On a comparable club basis, sales of food increased by approximately 9% and general merchandise sales were approximately flat for the month.
    Comparable club sales were strongest in week four, the week leading up to Christmas, and softest in week two. By major region, the Southeast recorded the highest comparable club sales increase.
    On a comparable club basis, excluding sales of gasoline, traffic increased by approximately 1% in December and the average transaction amount increased by approximately 3%.
    Merchandise categories with the strongest sales increases compared to last year included beauty care, candy, Christmas decorations, cigarettes, cookies, dairy, domestics, jewelry, ladies apparel, milk, pet foods, prepared foods, produce, soda & water, televisions and toys. Weaker categories included film & batteries, furniture, prerecorded video, small appliances and tires. Sales also declined in categories that were contracted or eliminated earlier in the year, including automotive, major appliances, office supplies, sporting goods and storage.

    Outlook for Q-4

    The Company confirmed its previously announced fourth quarter earnings guidance of $.69 to $.73 per diluted share despite comparable club sales that were slightly below plan in November and December. The current guidance takes into account strengthening margins driven by a higher sales penetration of private brands as well as gasoline margins that were stronger than plan.
    For the month of January, the Company expects to report a comparable club sales increase in the range of 6% to 8%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1%.

    Forward Looking Statements

    Statements contained in this press release about future earnings and all other statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, economic, regulatory and weather conditions; competition; litigation; and the other factors outlined in the Company's annual and quarterly reports which are on file with the SEC. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if the Company's estimates change.
    BJ's introduced the wholesale club concept to New England in 1984, and has since expanded to become a leading warehouse chain in the eastern United States. The Company currently operates 155 BJ's clubs, one ProFoods Restaurant Supply and 81 gas stations, compared with 150 clubs and 78 gas stations one year ago. BJ's press releases and filings with the SEC are available on the Internet at www.bjs.com.

    Conference Call for Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results

    BJ's plans to announce financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending January 29, 2005 on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at approximately 7 a.m. Eastern Time. At 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, also on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, BJ's management plans to hold a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and fiscal year financial results and the outlook for fiscal 2006. To access the webcast (including financial and other statistical information being presented, as well as reconciliation information with respect to any non-GAAP financial measures being presented), visit www.bjsinvestor.com/medialist.cfm to hear the call live, or to listen to an archive of the call, which will be available for approximately one quarter following the call.

--30--MA/bo*

CONTACT: BJ's Wholesale Club Cathy Maloney, 508-651-6650 cmaloney@bjs.com

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING SUPERMARKETS RETAIL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALLS SOURCE: BJ's Wholesale Club

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