BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BJ) raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings per share guidance on August 21, 2026, after reporting second quarter comparable club sales growth of 11.9% year over year. The updated range calls for adjusted EPS of $4.60 to $4.80 for the fiscal year ending January 30, 2027.
BJ's operates 267 clubs and 206 BJ's Gas locations across 22 states. The company pioneered the warehouse club model in New England in 1984 and reported results for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2026.
#BJ's Comparable Sales Accelerate As Digital Growth Reaches 30%
Comparable club sales rose 11.9% in the second quarter compared with the same period in fiscal 2025. Excluding gasoline sales, comparable club sales increased 3.1% year over year for the quarter.
Digitally enabled comparable sales grew 30% in the quarter, which the company said reflects a two-year stacked comparable growth rate of 64%. BJ's opened three new clubs and one new gas station during the period.
Net sales reached $6.09 billion in the second quarter, up 15.9% from $5.26 billion a year earlier. Total revenues, which include membership fee income, rose 15.7% to $6.23 billion.
"We delivered a strong second quarter, coming in ahead of our expectations across sales and profitability, with strong membership momentum. 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," said Bob Eddy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BJ's Wholesale Club, in the earnings release.
#Membership Fee Income Climbs 9.9% As Member Count Hits Record 8.5 Million
Membership fee income increased 9.9% year over year to $135.6 million in the second quarter. The company attributed the increase primarily to membership acquisition, retention, and higher-tier membership penetration.
Member count grew to a record 8.5 million during the quarter. Membership fee income for the first six months of fiscal 2026 rose 9.9% to $268 million, compared with $243.7 million in the same period a year earlier.
Operating income increased 16.5% to $252.4 million in the second quarter, while net income rose 15.4% to $173.9 million. Earnings per diluted share were $1.36, up from $1.14 in the prior-year period.
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#BJ's Raises Profit Outlook, Plans $800 Million In Fiscal 2026 Capital Spending
Gross profit rose to $1.11 billion in the second quarter from $1.01 billion a year earlier. Merchandise gross margin rate, which excludes gasoline sales and membership fee income, decreased by approximately 20 basis points, which the company said was driven by continued pricing investments, partially offset by tariff refund benefits.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $851.2 million from $786.4 million in the prior-year quarter, which the company attributed to labor, occupancy, and operational costs tied to new club and gas station openings.
The company repurchased 1,384,278 shares of common stock for $124.1 million in the second quarter. Approximately $422.1 million remained available under the existing share repurchase program as of August 1, 2026.
For fiscal 2026, BJ's maintained its guidance for comparable club sales, excluding gasoline, to increase 2.0% to 3.0% year over year, and projected capital expenditures of approximately $800 million, reflecting continued investment in new club openings and distribution network enhancements, including an ambient distribution center.
"We are maintaining our full year comp sales guidance and remain confident in our ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth," said Laura Felice, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, BJ's Wholesale Club, in the earnings release.
Management projected adjusted EPS of $4.60 to $4.80 for fiscal 2026, alongside continued investment in new clubs and distribution infrastructure. Management maintained its comparable sales guidance, while the company identified tariffs, competition and broader economic conditions among risks that could affect future results.