Market briefs
Texas: BJ’s Wholesale Expands
In Fort Worth, BJ’s Wholesale Club opened stores in Fort Worth and Waxahachie Friday as the membership club expands into the Texas market.
The openings come two weeks after the Marlborough, Massachusetts-based company entered Texas with a new store in Forney, about 20 miles east of downtown Dallas.
The Fort Worth store is located at 7241 Harris Parkway and the Waxahachie store is at 2180 N US Highway 77, about 30 miles south of Dallas.
With the openings, BJ’s will has 266 clubs and 205 BJ Gas locations across 22 states.
BJ’s, the dominant wholesale club in New England, is breaking into what is a huge market for its competitors. Sam’s Club has more than 80 stores in Texas, while Costco has about 45.
Nationally, BJ’s is the third largest membership wholesale club by revenue, behind market leader Costco and Sam’s Club. BJ’s has 8 million members and $21 billion in annual revenue.
The club aims to offer savings of up to 25% off grocery store prices, as stated by BJ’s. The merchandise mix of everyday essentials includes food, fresh produce, full-service deli items, bakery goods, household items, home décor, pet supplies, toys, consumer electronics, and more.
BJ’s works with Feeding America and its network of food banks, providing more than 165 million meals for those in need over the last 15 years.
The Fort Worth store will partner with Tarrant Area Food Bank by regularly donating produce, meat, dairy products, and more to support the community. BJ’s has also awarded two grants totaling $120,000 to support students in the Crowley Independent School District. BJ’s Waxahachie store has partnered with North Texas Food Bank on food donations.
New BJ’s stores create between 100 and 150 jobs.
The next stores are planned to open in Grand Prairie soon and in Mesquite later this year. The company has not yet reported details on other planned clubs in Texas.
