Another US wholesale favorite is bumping its membership prices

BJ’s is planning to raise its membership fees for the first time in seven years.

Another wholesale retailer is planning to raise its membership fees.

BJ’s Wholesale said on Thursday that it would raise the cost of its memberships starting on January 1.

It said the new cost of a Club membership would be $60 annually, up by $5 from the current price, and a Club+ membership would cost $120, up by $10. The company announced the changes in its third-quarter earnings report.

It said Club+ members would also get two free same-day deliveries a year on orders of at least $50.

The higher fees are set to take effect seven years after BJ’s last membership-cost hike. CEO Robert Eddy said on an earnings call on Thursday that the company would use the extra income from the increase to fund the expansion of its delivery business and better staff its stores, especially as it tries to sell more fresh produce.

“Since our last fee increase in 2018, we have invested heavily in the value of BJ’s membership,” he said.

The chain’s rival Costco raised membership fees in September. Gold Star and Business memberships at the warehouse chain now cost $65, while Executive memberships are $130.

Sam’s Club, Walmart’s wholesale retail chain, isn’t following suit for now.

“We have no plans to raise membership fees at this time and remain committed to delivering the most value to our members,” a company spokesperson told B-17 on Friday.