Natick-based BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. reported that January sales increased 8.5 percent to $724.2 million over results from the same period in 2005.
On a comparable club basis, the increase was slightly less, only 3.5 percent. Sales of food for the month increased 4 percent, while sales of general merchandise increased 3 percent.
Demand for apparel, paper products, produce, soda and water, televisions and video games was strong, while cigarettes, frozen food, jewelry and videos sold more slowly. BJ’s stores in the New York area and the Southeast posted the strongest gains during January.
The wholesale giant also reported that for the fourth quarter of 2006, total sales increased 6 percent to $2.4 billion, and comparable club sales increased 1.5 percent. For the full year, sales increased 5.2 percent.
