BJ's Wholesale Club

In February 1984, a former Zayre executive named Mervyn Weich opened the first BJ's Wholesale Club in Medford, Massachusetts. The name came from Berkeley and Jensen, two dogs belonging to members of the founding team. The company started as a division of Zayre Corp., which later became TJX Companies, before spinning off as an independent public company in 1991. Today, BJ's operates more than 240 clubs across 20 states, all concentrated in the eastern half of the country from Maine to Florida and as far west as Ohio and Texas.

What sets BJ's apart from the national warehouse giants is its focus on fresh produce and in-club pharmacies. The chain stocks a wider selection of single-serve items and fresh foods than typical club stores, and it accepts all manufacturer coupons, a policy neither Costco nor Sam's Club matches. Members also get discounts on gasoline at BJ's fuel stations. The private label brand, Berkeley Jensen, covers everything from pantry staples to cleaning supplies.

BJ's has invested heavily in digital shopping since the pandemic. Same-day delivery via Instacart and curbside pickup through BJ's Express Pay are available at most locations. In 2023, the company launched a premium membership tier called BJ's One, which includes free delivery on every order. Revenue for fiscal 2023 hit $19.9 billion, with net income of $522 million. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BJ, with a market cap around $12 billion as of late 2024.[edit]