Exclusive membership has never been as common as it is at BJ's Wholesale Club. The firm is the nation's #3 membership warehouse club (behind leaders Costco and SAM'S CLUB) and #1 in New England, with more than 8.5 million members and about 170 locations in 16 states, mostly in the Northeast. BJ's stores sell some 7,500 products, including canned, fresh, and frozen foods (food accounts for nearly 60% of sales). It also sells general merchandise, including apparel, housewares, office equipment, small appliances, and gas. Unlike its major rivals, BJ's targets individual retail customers rather than small businesses. Half of BJ's stores sell discounted gas to members.