BJ’s Wholesale (BJ) reported its first-quarter results on Tuesday morning, falling slightly short of expectations. The company’s same-store sales were up 5.7%, missing the estimated 5.9%, and its revenue was $4.72 billion, instead of the expected $4.8 billion. Although earnings matched expectations at $0.85 per share, shares fell almost 5% after the company suggested its second-quarter results may also fall short of the 5.7% gains seen in the first quarter.
BJ’s comments on its increasingly discerning consumer environment provided a bigger picture for investors, as retail sales fell short of expectations in April after March’s slump. Chief Financial Officer Laura Felice stated that the company is addressing an increasingly discerning consumer environment, while CEO Bob Eddy noted that consumers are becoming more cautious and are living within their shopping behavior.
Although consumer prices rose 5% year-on-year in April, economists estimate that consumers are still saving an additional $1 trillion compared to pre-pandemic trends. Felice stated that consumers are still visiting the company’s stores and consuming, but they are spending more selectively on essential items. BJ’s expects a slowdown in inflation over the course of the year, as fourth-quarter inflation was significantly lower than the first quarter.
Overall, BJ’s Wholesale’s results suggest that while consumers are becoming more cautious, inflation continues to moderate.