BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. stepped up its wholesale business today with the rollout of a B2B Sales division. The B2B segment, at BJs.com/b2bsales/, offers new, higher-volume pricing and delivery to any of its 214 club locations in 16 states of the Eastern United States.

Businesses can place orders ranging up to multiple pallets, truckload or shipping container with a minimum purchase of $5,000. BJ’s requires B2B customers to allow 10 to 14 business days for delivery of such larger orders, which it says will be ready for pickup within 48 hours of arrival at the buyer’s designated BJ’s location. The company did not immediately respond to a request for information on what, if any, club membership fees it charges for the B2B program.

B2B customers can place orders online or through BJ’s sale reps and can earn 1.6% of purchases in credit through an opt-in volume rewards program. Rewards are paid monthly and apply to future volume orders, the company says.

Some products are excluded from the B2B Sales program, such as bakery items, fresh meat, floral items, gasoline, propane, alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco-related products, car batteries, tires, and orders under $5,000.

BJ’s B2B Sales division “leverages its unique buying power to offer the lowest prices possible on grocery and general merchandise items, providing businesses with everything they need,” says Mike Leary, senior vice president, food, sundries and beverages at BJ’s Wholesale Club.

BJ’s is the second major merchant to announce a move into B2B sales in the past week, joining J.C. Penney Co. Inc. BJ’s is owned by affiliates of Leonard Green & Partners, CVC Capital Partners and its management team.

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