About BJ's Wholesale Club
"Exclusive membership" has never been as common as it is at BJ's Wholesale Club. The firm is the nation's #3 membership warehouse club (far behind leaders Costco and SAM'S CLUB) and #1 in New England, with more than nine million members and about 195 locations in 15 states, mostly along the Eastern Seaboard. Food, including canned, fresh, and frozen items, – more... accounts for about two-thirds of sales at BJ's. The remainder comes from general merchandise, including apparel, housewares, office equipment, small appliances, and gas. Unlike its major rivals, BJ's targets individual retail customers rather than small businesses. BJ's was taken private in 2011.
The company was taken private in September 2011 by Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners in a deal valued at about $2.8 billion. (The offer represented an approximately 38% premium to the closing price of BJ's shares on June 30, 2011.) The deal came after much takeover speculation, which began swirling around BJ's after the company cut costs and improved efficiency to pretty itself up for sale. Its new owners are likely to widen BJ's geographical reach. The retailer has added five new locations since going private. (BJ's currently operates in 15 states from Maine to Florida. Beyond the East Coast it has stores in Ohio.)
Beyond its wholesale clubs, BJ's also sells merchandise online at BJs.com. More than 150 of the chain's wholesale outlets contain BJ's Optical departments and about half sell gas. The BJ's Services and Travel division offers vacation packages, and hotel and car rental services, as well as health, home and auto insurance, home improvement and installation services, and car buying services.
While the company no longer reports annual sales since going private, Supermarket News estimates BJ's rang up $11.3 billion in fiscal 2012 (ends January), up nearly 4% from a reported $10.88 billion in 2011.
By going private, regional BJ's Wholesale Club is hoping to gain the financial flexibility to expand beyond the Eastern Seaboard and strengthen its position in food and consumables. BJ's, which counts supermarkets among its main competitors, aims to be customers' first stop for groceries, offering smaller package sizes and lower prices than supermarkets. BJ's is also diversifying its selection with organic produce, fresh and frozen appetizers, desserts, and restaurant-branded items. The company's new private equity owners have significant retail holdings, although CVC's are mainly overseas. Leonard Green & Partners counts Jo-Ann Stores and J. Crew Group among its recent deals. The firm also has holdings in Whole Foods Market, PETCO, and other retailers.
BJ's Wholesale Club is owned by Beacon Holding Inc, an affiliate of Leonard Green & Partners and funds advised by CVC Capital Partners. – less
BJ's Wholesale Club Employer Reviews
BJ's Wholesale Club
Good people to work with, frustrating payroll flexibility
Produce Manager (Current Employee), Willimantic, CT – May 13, 2013
BJ's Wholesale Club
It's an ok place to work
deli (Current Employee), Millsboro, DE – May 10, 2013
BJ's Wholesale Club
Not Recommended
Front Line Cashier (Former Employee), Hollywood, FL – May 9, 2013
BJ's Wholesale Club
Productivity at Work
Cashier (Current Employee), New York, NY – April 29, 2013
BJ's Wholesale Club
Not a good company to work for
Assist members (Current Employee), White Marsh Maryland – April 28, 2013
BJ's Wholesale Club Photos
Working at BJ's Wholesale Club
BJ's use to be a great place to work...in the past year and a half it has become unstable. Many people were laid off some resigned or were fired. People are still leaving...
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