BJ’s Wholesale Club reported second-quarter comparable club sales growth of 11.9 percent year over year, with net sales climbing 15.9 percent to $6.09 billion, leading the warehouse club retailer to raise its full-year earnings guidance.
Excluding gasoline, comparable club sales rose 3.1 percent for the quarter ended Aug. 1. Net income increased 15.4 percent to $173.9 million, with earnings per diluted share of $1.36, up 19.3 percent. Membership fee income grew 9.9 percent to $135.6 million, and member count reached a record 8.5 million.
“We delivered a strong second quarter, coming in ahead of our expectations across sales and profitability, with strong membership momentum,” said Bob Eddy, chairman and CEO of the Marlborough, Massachusetts-based company. “Our value proposition continued to resonate with members in our clubs and at our gas stations, and the momentum we’re seeing across our strategic priorities gives us real confidence in the road ahead.”
Digitally enabled comparable sales grew 30 percent, reflecting two-year stacked growth of 64 percent. The company opened three new clubs and one new gas station during the quarter, and it now operates 267 clubs and 206 gas locations in 22 states following this year’s entry into Texas.
The company attributed membership fee gains to strength in acquisition, retention and higher-tier membership penetration. Merchandise gross margin rate, which excludes gasoline and membership fee income, decreased about 20 basis points, driven primarily by continued investments in pricing, partially offset by tariff refund benefits, it said.
Guidance raised
BJ’s raised its full-year adjusted EPS outlook to a range of $4.60 to $4.80 while maintaining its comparable sales guidance, excluding gasoline, of 2 percent to 3 percent growth. Capital expenditures are projected at approximately $800 million, reflecting investment in new club openings and distribution network enhancements, including the company’s fourth ambient distribution center, a more than 500,000-square-foot automated facility under construction in Commercial Point, Ohio, that is expected to open in early 2027.
“We delivered solid profitability, grew membership fee income, and outperformed on gas — all of which enabled us to raise our full year adjusted EPS guidance,” said Laura Felice, EVP and CFO.
For the first six months of fiscal 2026, net sales rose 12.9 percent to $11.62 billion, with net income of $316.6 million. The company repurchased $330.7 million in shares during the first half.
BJ’s pioneered the warehouse club model in New England in 1984 and positions itself as a grocery-focused club, with food and consumables accounting for a majority of sales.