Two Central Massachusetts discount retail titans, TJX Cos. Inc. of Framingham and BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. of Natick, posted weak January sales results.
BJ’s said January sales hit $656.7 million, a 0.9 percent increase over the same month a year ago, while same-store sales decreased by 0.7 percent. BJ’s said lower totals from gasoline sales had a negative impact on the company’s January results.
TJX reported January sales of $1 billion, a 6 percent decrease compared to January 2008. Same store sales at the discount retailer were down 4 percent. The company said the decreases were due in part to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.
For the year, TJX, which operates TJ Maxx, Marshalls and several other retail stores, reported sales of $18.7 billion, a 2 percent increase over the previous year.
