How BJ's Wholesale Combines Membership and Digitization to Scale Up

Freshpet Inc (FRPT) - Manufactures, distributes, and markets natural fresh meals and treats for dogs and cats [3] - Currently carries a Zacks Rank 2 [3] - Trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 144.5% on average [3] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current financial-year sales and earnings implies growth of 27.2% and 228.6% respectively [18] BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings Inc (BJ) - Membership fee income increased by 8.4% year-over-year in Q3 fiscal 2024 [4] - Expects to operate more than 250 clubs by the end of fiscal 2024 [4] - Digitally enabled comparable sales rose 30% in Q3 fiscal 2024 [17] - Clubs fulfill more than 90% of digitally enabled sales [17] - Announced first membership fee increase in seven years, effective Jan 1, 2025 [12] - Annual Club membership fee to rise by $5 to$60, Club+ membership fee to increase by $10 to$120 [12] - Introduced new perk for Club+ members including two free same-day deliveries on eligible orders of $50 or more [12] - Shares advanced 13.3% against industry decline of 1.2% [13] - Guided total revenue growth of mid-single-digit percentage [16] - Projected low-to-mid single-digit percentage increase in comparable club sales excluding gasoline sales [16] - Expects high-single to low-double-digit percentage increase in earnings per share in the long run [16] Sprouts Farmers Market Inc (SFM) - Engaged in retailing of fresh, natural, and organic food products [8] - Currently sports a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [8] - Trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.3% on average [8] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current financial-year sales and earnings implies growth of 12.2% and 29.6% respectively [19] Ingredion Incorporated (INGR) - Manufactures and sells sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients, and biomaterial solutions derived from wet milling and processing corn and other starch-based materials [15] - Currently carries a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [15] - Trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.5% on average [15] - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current financial year's earnings indicates growth of 12.4% from the year-ago reported number [9]