BJ's Wholesale notches 300% digital growth

Dive Brief:

On Friday, BJ's Wholesale Club rolled out its contactless curbside pickup service to all of its stores and announced the expansion of its buy online, pick up in-store offering to include fresh and frozen grocery goods at select stores, according to a company press release. That service will be available at the rest of the retailer's locations by the end of October.
In a Thursday earnings call, the retailer also announced its hire of a Chief Digital Officer. Monica Schwartz, who has experience at Home Depot and eBay, joined the retailer earlier in August. "Monica's extensive knowledge, experience and diverse background will be instrumental as we scale our digital business," president and CEO Lee Delaney said, according to a Seeking Alpha transcript.
While discussing earnings results, the company highlighted both its online and brick-and-mortar growth plans. Delaney said during the call that the company's digital sales grew by more than 300%, and it plans to open two new locations in New York by the end of the year and six new locations next year.

Dive Insight:

Delaney noted in the earnings call that the retailer's digital operations are vital to its current and new customers, and the company has made progress in introducing new digital offerings. BJ's Wholesale joins other essential retailers like Walmart and Target in seeing a boost in e-commerce sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the retailer's digital strategy, the company hired Monica Schwartz to serve as its chief digital officer. The retailer is among other companies like David's Bridal, Walmart and Bed Bath & Beyond that have hired new C-suite executives during the coronavirus pandemic.

In its BOPIS announcement, the company also highlighted the slew of digital services it has added over the past few years, including an improved website, mobile app, digital coupons and same-day grocery delivery. BJ's is one among many other stores, including At Home, Walmart and Michaels, that have introduced their own contactless delivery or pick-up options.

"It's more important than ever to provide our members with a variety of convenient options to shop the club," Jeff Desroches, executive vice president and club operations officer, said in a statement. "Our new, contactless curbside pickup service is another example of how we're focused on getting members the products they want, however they want."