• March 3, 2010

Both Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club reported higher sales and profits for the quarter, as well as gains for the month of February. Still, results were less than observers expected.

At Costco, its fiscal second quarter ended Feb. 14, and its says sales jumped 11% to $18.36 billion, from $16.49 billion during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, with comparable-store sales rising 5% in the U.S. Net income for the quarter totaled $299 million, up from $239 million in the same period a year ago. And comparable-store sales for the Issaquah, Wash.-based chain for the full month of February are also up 5% in the U.S.

BJ's Wholesale Club says net income for its fourth quarter gained to $55.1 million, up from $52.7 million in the same period a year ago. And total sales increased by 9.4% to $2.74 billion, while comparable club sales rose 4.6%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.3%. For the month of February, the Natick, Mass.-based chain says comparable club sales increased by 7.5% for the month of February 2010, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 3.6%. --Sarah Mahoney