Nicked By Cheap Gas, BJ’s Posts Sales Increase

Natick-based BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. saw sales increase by 4.1 percent in September compared to a year ago, but felt the pinch as gas prices fell and customers cut back.

The company said sales for the month hit $928 million compared to $891 million in Sept. 2008. Same store sales increased by 0.5 percent, including a negative impact from lower gas prices and volumes of 6 percent.

Excluding the impact of selling less gas at lower prices, BJ's said same store sales increased by 5.5 percent.

The company said customer traffic increased by about 7 percent compared to last year and sales were driven by increases in food sales, as well as books, computers and televisions.