BJS' Wholesale Club Names John Gehre Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, General Merchandise.

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. (NYSE:BJ) today announced that John Gehre has been named vice president, divisional merchandise manager, general merchandise. In this position, Mr. Gehre is responsible for seasonal merchandise, furniture, domestics, housewares, giftware, books, toys and sporting goods. He reports to Richard Wilson, BJ's senior vice president, general merchandise manager, general merchandise.

Mr. Gehre has more than 12 years of retail buying and operations experience, most recently as a divisional merchandise manager with Linens 'n Things.

"John brings valuable industry perspective along with his many years as a buyer for such leading retailers as Linens 'n Things, Saks Department Stores and Federated Department Stores. He is a seasoned merchant who will play a major part in advancing BJ's member centric business strategy. We are very pleased to welcome John to our executive team," said Karen Stout, BJ's executive vice president, merchandising.

BJ's introduced the warehouse club concept to New England in 1984 and has since expanded to become a leading warehouse chain in the eastern United States. The Company currently operates 159 BJ's Wholesale clubs, two ProFoods Restaurant Supply clubs and 85 gas stations in sixteen states. BJ's press releases and filings with the SEC are available on the Internet at www.bjs.com.