Consumers determined to spend less brought BJ’s Wholesale Club‘s August sales down 1.9 percent compared to the same month a year ago.
The Natick-based retailer said sales hit $757.6 million during the month compared to $772.6 million a year ago. Same-store sales declined by 6 percent and were hit particularly hard by lower gas prices and volumes.
Without the negative influence of gasoline sales, same-store sales increased by 2.2 percent. The company said the average transaction amount decreased by about 2 percent during the month while sales of food increased by about 4 percent, indicating price decreases across several food categories.
