Full Description

BJ’s Wholesale Club (BJ’s) is a warehouse club operator in the Eastern United States. As of January 31, 2009, the Company operated 180 BJ’s warehouse clubs, 102 of which operate gasoline stations, in 15 states. Its warehouse clubs includes the sales of food, general merchandise, gasoline and other specialty businesses. As of January 31, 2009, the Company operated 161 full-sized warehouse clubs that averaged approximately 113,000 square feet and 19 smaller format warehouse clubs that averaged approximately 71,000 square feet. Its clubs are located in both free-standing locations and shopping centers. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009), food accounted for approximately 64% of its merchandise sales. The remaining 36% consisted of a variety of general merchandise items. Food categories at BJ’s include frozen foods, fresh meat and dairy products, beverages, dry grocery items, fresh produce and flowers, canned goods and household paper products. General merchandise includes consumer electronics, prerecorded media, small appliances, tires, jewelry, health and beauty aids, household needs, chemicals, computer software, books, greeting cards, apparel, furniture, toys and seasonal items.

The Company offers a number of specialty services. Most of these services are provided by outside operators in space leased from BJ’s. Specialty services include full-service optical centers, food courts, full-service Verizon Wireless centers, home improvement services, BJ’s Vacations, garden and storage sheds, patios and sunrooms, installation of home security systems, a propane tank filling service, an automobile buying service, a car rental service, muffler and brake services operated in conjunction with Monro Muffler Brake, Inc, television and home theater installation, and electronics and jewelry protection plans.

As of January 31, 2009, the Company had 102 gasoline stations in operation at its clubs. Its electronic commerce business, bjs.com, provides its members delivery to their home or office of hundreds of BJ’s general merchandise products, as well as thousands of additional products generally not found in its clubs. In addition, the Company offers services, such as auto and home insurance, home improvement, travel services, and membership services. Items sold on its Website include electronics, computers, office equipment, products for the home, health and beauty aids, sporting goods, outdoor living, baby products, toys and jewelry.

The Company competes with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.