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BJ's to Raise Membership Fees 2010-11-17

BJ's Wholesale Club will raise its annual membership fees by $5, to $50, beginning in January, and invest the increased revenues in store remodels.

Jon Springer, Executive Editor

November 17, 2010

1 Min Read
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JON SPRINGER

NATICK, Mass. — BJ's Wholesale Club here said Wednesday it would raise its annual membership fees by $5, to $50, beginning in January, and invest the increased revenues in store remodels.

The membership fee increase, BJ's first since 2006, would generate about $20 million in new revenue, officials said, including an expectation that renewals would decrease 1% to 1.5% as a result of the hike.

BJ's made the membership fee announcement while reviewing financial results from its fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 30. An easing of competitive pressure and increased sales of perishable foods during the quarter sparked net earnings to increase 32.2% to $23 million on sales of $2.6 billion.

As previously reported, sales improved 4.8% and comparable-store sales excluding gasoline improved by 1.5%.

BJ's officials did not address news reports that the company was up for sale.

About the Author

Jon Springer

Executive Editor

Jon Springer is executive editor of Winsight Grocery Business with responsibility for leading its digital news team. Jon has more than 20 years of experience covering consumer business and retail in New York, including more than 14 years at the Retail/Financial desk at Supermarket News. His previous experience includes covering consumer markets for KPMG’s Insiders; the U.S. beverage industry for Beverage Spectrum; and he was a Senior Editor covering commercial real estate and retail for the International Council of Shopping Centers. Jon began his career as a sports reporter and features editor for the Cecil Whig, a daily newspaper in Elkton, Md. Jon is also the author of two books on baseball. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English-Journalism from the University of Delaware. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. with his family.

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