Sam's Club

File:Sam-Walton.jpg]]

File:Sams Club.svg

File:Walmart locations.png locations in the United States, {{As of|2025|January|df=US|lc=y}}.]]

File:Costco vs Sam's Club.png vs Sam's Club locations in the United States]]

Sam Walton opened the first Sam's Wholesale Club on April 7, 1983, in Midwest City, Oklahoma, 21 years after he founded Walmart.{{cite press release|url=http://www3.samsclub.com/newsroom/Press/515|title=Sam's Club celebrates 25th anniversary with nationwide open house|date=April 10, 2007|publisher=Sam's Club|access-date=January 18, 2014|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202093937/http://www3.samsclub.com/newsroom/Press/515|url-status=dead}}

In 1987, Wal-Mart Stores purchased West Monroe, Louisiana-based SuperSaver Wholesale Warehouse Club; the purchase expanded the Sam's Wholesale Club chain by 24 locations. Prior to the acquisition, the stores were owned by Alton Hardy Howard and his son John.{{cite web |title=Sam's Club History |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/sam-s-club-history/ |website=fundinguniverse.com}}

In 1989, Sam's Wholesale Club opened its first club in New Jersey in a former Two Guys/Jefferson Ward store located in Delran. This was Walmart's first expansion into the Northeast.{{Cite web |title=Sam's Club History |url=https://corporate.walmart.com/about/samsclub/sams-club-history |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Sam's Club History}}

In 1990, Sam's Wholesale Club was renamed Sam's Club, dropping off "Wholesale". The same year, the first Sam's Club opened in Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |title=Sam's Club History Timeline |url=https://corporate.walmart.com/about/samsclub/sams-club-history/timeline |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Sam's Club History Timeline}}

In 1993, Walmart acquired PACE Membership Warehouse from K-mart and converted a majority of PACE locations into Sam's Club stores.{{Cite news |last=Strom |first=Stephanie |date=1993-11-03 |title=COMPANY NEWS; Wal-Mart Stores to Buy PACE Warehouse Clubs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/03/business/company-news-wal-mart-stores-to-buy-pace-warehouse-clubs.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Sam's Club entered the Canadian market in Southern Ontario (all but one in the Greater Toronto Area/Golden Horseshoe) in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/business/fp/Mart+Canada+shut+Club+wholesale+unit/1332667/story.html|title=Wal-Mart Canada to shut its Sam's Club wholesale unit|first=Hollie|last=Shaw|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206075441/http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/fp/Mart+Canada+shut+Club+wholesale+unit/1332667/story.html|url-status=dead}}

The latest flagship club opening {{as of|2007|9|13|df=US|lc=on}}, was in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The largest Sam's Club store is located in Pineville, North Carolina, with {{convert|185000|sqft|abbr=on}} of retail space that was formerly an Incredible Universe.

On September 24, 2006, Sam's Club unveiled a new logo with an updated serif font.{{Cite web|title=Sam's Club 'WOW' gifts: diamonds and jets |date=October 24, 2006 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/10/24/news/companies/sams_club/index.htm |website=CNN Money |access-date=2020-05-31}}

Starting in April 2007, there was speculation of a possible sale or spinoff of Sam's Club from parent company Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.{{cite web|last=Otte|first=Timothy M.|url=http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/05/07/spinoff-in-bentonville-revisited.aspx|title=Spinoff in Bentonville Revisited|publisher=The Motley Fool |date=May 7, 2007|access-date=November 27, 2009}}{{cite web|last=Otte |first=Timothy M.|url=http://www.fool.com/investing/value/2007/04/17/a-spinoff-in-bentonville.aspx?vstest=search_042607_linkdefault|title=A Spinoff in Bentonville? |publisher=The Motley Fool|date=April 17, 2007|access-date=November 27, 2009}}

On February 26, 2009, Walmart Canada announced that it would be closing all six of its Canadian Sam's Club locations.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123568673767887129|title=Walmart Canada to Close Sam's Club Division|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=February 26, 2009|last=Georgiades|first=Andy}}{{cite press release|url=http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1702264189&view=73403-0&Start=30&htm=0|title=Walmart Canada to close six Ontario Sam's Club locations to focus on supercenter expansion|date=February 26, 2009|publisher=Walmart Canada|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115164331/http://micro.newswire.ca/release.cgi?rkey=1702264189&view=73403-0&Start=30&htm=0|archive-date=January 15, 2016|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/article/593651|title=Walmart to close all Canadian Sam's Club stores|last=Flavelle| first=Dana|work=Toronto Star|date=February 26, 2009|access-date=February 26, 2009}} This was part of Walmart Canada's decision to shift focus towards supercentres, but some industry observers suggested that the operation was struggling in competition with Costco and the non-membership The Real Canadian Superstore (known as Maxi & Cie in Quebec), that had a well-established history in the country. Sam's Club also rebranded the two as yet unopened locations as new Walmart Supercentres.{{Cite web |author-mask=Reuters |date=February 26, 2009 |title=Wal-Mart Canada closing all 6 Sam's Club locations |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN26279894/#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%2C%20Feb%2026%20(Reuters,opening%20more%20Wal%2DMart%20supercenters. |access-date=April 27, 2024 |website=Reuters}} In January 2010, it was announced that ten clubs would be closing, including four in California. At the same time, Sam's opened six new clubs at various locations in the United States.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-walmart12-2010jan12,0,7246820.story|title=Sam's Club to close 10 stores, four in California|work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 12, 2010|access-date=November 1, 2010}}

On January 24, 2010, it was announced that approximately 11,200 Sam's Club employees would be laid off. The layoffs resulted from the decision to outsource product sampling duties to an outside company (Rogers, Arkansas-based Shopper Events, which already performs in-store product demonstrations for Walmart) and to eliminate New Business Membership Representative positions throughout the chain. Most of the laid-off employees were part-time and represented about 10% of the total Sam's Club workforce.{{Cite news |last=Coleman |first=Korva |date=2010-01-25 |title=Sam's Club Lays Off 11 Thousand Workers |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/01/sams_club_layoffs_walmart.html |access-date=2025-05-18 |work=NPR |language=en}}

Rosalind Brewer was named as the new CEO for Sam's Club, a change that came into effect on February 1, 2012.{{cite news|title=Walmart names Rosalind Brewer as Sam's Club CEO, first woman to hold CEO position|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/Wal-mart-says-sams-club-president-and-ceo-cornwell-leaving-company-to-return-to-northeast/2012/01/20/gIQAGRfYDQ_story.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160809083222/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/wal-mart-says-sams-club-president-and-ceo-cornwell-leaving-company-to-return-to-northeast/2012/01/20/gIQAGRfYDQ_story.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 9, 2016 |access-date=January 20, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 20, 2012}}

On January 24, 2014, it was announced that Walmart will cut 2,300 jobs at the underperforming Sam's Club locations.{{cite news | url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304856504579341103195711612 | title=Wal-Mart to Lay Off 2,300 Sam's Club Employees | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=January 24, 2014 | access-date=January 26, 2014}}

In 2016, Sam's Club rolled out a mobile application that allows users to scan items while they shop and pay for them, skipping the checkout line.{{cite news|last1=Sozzi|first1=Brian|title=Walmart's Sam's Club scan-and-go app may make cash registers obsolete|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/13749217/1/walmart-s-sam-s-club-unveils-scan-and-go-to-make-cash-register-obsolete.html|access-date=December 7, 2016|work=TheStreet|date=September 22, 2016}} By December 2016, the app could be used at all locations in the United States. In 2019, the dedicated scanning app was deprecated, and its features were incorporated into the main Sam's Club app.{{cite web|website=samsclub.com|url=https://www.samsclub.com/content/scan-and-go|title=DO MORE WITH THE SAM'S CLUB APP: Now Featuring Scan & Go! Get the power of two apps in one and experience a faster, more convenient way to shop.|access-date=October 15, 2019}}

On February 1, 2017, John Furner replaced Brewer as CEO of Sam's Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/sams-club-ceo-rosalind-brewer-retire-feb-1|title=Sam's Club CEO Rosalind Brewer to retire Feb. 1|access-date=March 15, 2017|archive-date=September 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914130607/http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/sams-club-ceo-rosalind-brewer-retire-feb-1|url-status=dead}}

On January 11, 2018, Walmart announced that 63 Sam's Club locations in cities including Memphis, Houston, Seattle, and others would be closing.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/11/walmart-to-shutter-some-of-its-sams-club-locations.html|title=Walmart to shutter 63 Sam's Club locations|website=CNBC |date=January 11, 2018 }} Some of the stores had already liquidated, without notifying employees, some employees learned by a company-wide email delivered January 11. All of the 63 stores were gone from the Sam's Club website as of the morning of January 11, 2018. Walmart said that ten of the stores will become e-commerce distribution centers and employees can reapply to work at those locations. Business Insider magazine calculated that over 11,000 workers will be affected.{{cite news | url=http://www.cleveland19.com/story/37245316/sams-club-stores-close-around-the-country | title=Sam's Club stores close around the country | work=Cleveland 19 News | date=January 11, 2018 | access-date=January 11, 2018 | archive-date=January 12, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042811/http://www.cleveland19.com/story/37245316/sams-club-stores-close-around-the-country | url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Walmart is abruptly closing 63 Sam's Club stores and laying off thousands of workers|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-suddenly-closes-sams-club-stores-2018-1/ref%3E|author=Peterson, Hayley|date=January 11, 2018|website=Business Insider|access-date=January 11, 2018|archive-date=December 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226212510/https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-suddenly-closes-sams-club-stores-2018-1|url-status=dead}} On the same day, Walmart announced that as a result of the new tax law, it would be raising Walmart starting wages, distributing bonuses, expanding its leave policies and contributing toward the cost of employees' adoptions. Doug McMillon, Walmart's CEO, said, "We are early in the stages of assessing the opportunities tax reform creates for us to invest in our customers and associates and to further strengthen our business, all of which should benefit our shareholders."{{cite web|title=Walmart is giving its workers a pay raise and a cash bonus of up to $1,000|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-raises-employee-wages-11-2018-1|author=Peterson, Hayley|date=January 11, 2018|website=Business Insider|access-date=January 11, 2018}}

On November 15, 2019, Kathryn McLay succeeded Furner as CEO of Sam's Club.{{cite web|url=http://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000104169/aec4704a-543a-4a29-b8fe-f91d075070bd.pdf|title=Walmart Inc.|website=Securities and exchanges commission|access-date=10 September 2023}} McClay announced plans in 2023 for the company to build 30 stores.{{cite news |last1=Repko |first1=Melissa |date=January 26, 2023 |title=Walmart-owned Sam's Club plans to open about 30 new stores over next five years |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/26/walmart-owned-sams-club-plans-to-open-new-stores.html |access-date=March 24, 2024 |work=CNBC}} She became CEO of Walmart International in 2023 and was succeeded as Sam's Club CEO by Christopher Nicholas.{{cite news |last1=Cavale |first1=Siddharth |last2=Rajesh |first2=Ananya Mariam |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Walmart promotes CEO of Sam's Club to head International division |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/walmarts-international-division-head-retire-2023-08-16/ |access-date=March 24, 2024 |work=Reuters}}

As of January 2024, Sam's Club used an artificial intelligence-based receipt-checking technology at 10 stores that required customers to move through a portal to verify purchases. The company announced plans to put the technology in all of its stores by the end of 2024.{{cite news |last1=Deb |first1=Sopan |date=January 14, 2024 |title=At Sam's Club, a Human Will No Longer Check Your Receipt at the Door |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/business/sams-club-walmart-receipts.html |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |last1=Chin |first1=Kimberly |date=January 10, 2024 |title=Walmart-owned Sam's Club takes store exit tech to next gear |url=https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2024/01/10/sams-club-walmart-generative-ai-tech-stores-ces |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=Axios}}

In April 2025, Sam's Club announced the nationwide implementation of its AI-powered receipt verification technology across all 600 U.S. locations.{{Cite web |last=Schmelzer |first=Ron |title=Sam's Club Bets On AI To Eliminate Receipt Checks And Enhance Retail |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ronschmelzer/2025/04/21/sams-club-bets-on-ai-to-eliminate-receipt-checks-and-enhance-retail/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

Like other warehouse clubs, Sam's Club sells most of its merchandise in bulk and directly off pallets. The clubs are arranged like warehouses, with merchandise stocked in steel bins. Products sold include jewelry, designer goods, sunglasses, crystal, and collectibles, electronics, floral, apparel, food, and meats. Most locations have Pharmacy, Tire and Battery, Photo (as of late 2019, photo was cut from most clubs), Bakery, Optical, Café, and Floral departments.{{Cite web |title=Club Services - Sam's Club |url=https://www.samsclub.com/content/club-services |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250425075517/https://www.samsclub.com/content/club-services |archive-date=2025-04-25 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Sam's Club |language=en}}

Sam's Club consolidated its private labels under the Member's Mark brand in 2017.{{cite news |last1=Moran |first1=Catherine Douglas |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Sam's Club outlines new sustainability efforts for its Member's Mark line |url=https://www.grocerydive.com/news/sams-club-outlines-new-sustainability-efforts-for-its-members-mark-line/622273/ |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=Grocery Dive}} Sam's Club does not sell the Sam's Choice or Great Value brands that are available in Walmart stores.

File:Sam's Club - Fort Wayne, IN( 50979977208).jpg|A Sam's Club store in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

File:2F entrance of Sam's Club Beijing Houshayu (20240727171407).jpg|Entrance of a Sam's Club store in Beijing, China

File:Samsclub gasstation.JPG|A Sam's Club gas station at a store in Santa Clarita, California

File:Sam's Club in Beijing, China, 2020.jpg|Shelves at a Sam's Club store in Beijing, China

File:Sam's Club in Onalaska.jpg|Aerial view of a Sam's Club store in Onalaska, Wisconsin

File:FEMA - 41189 - Mitigation advisor counsels customer at Sam's Club in Bismarck.jpg|A mitigation advisor speaks to a woman at a Sam's Club store in Bismarck, North Dakota

In Houston, Sam's Club opened Más Club in August 2009,{{cite press release|url=http://pressroom.samsclub.com/News/9323.aspx|title=Más Club Opens August 6 in Houston|date=July 21, 2009|publisher=Sam's Club|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091224130042/http://pressroom.samsclub.com/News/9323.aspx|archive-date=December 24, 2009|df=mdy-all}} a club geared towards the Hispanic population. Membership in Más Club was separate from membership in Sam's Club. The store eventually began a liquidation sale in December 2013, and was closed in February 2014.{{Cite web |date=2008-10-29 |title=Sam's to Offer Hispanics 'Más' with New Club - RetailWire |url=https://retailwire.com/discussion/sams-to-offer-hispanics-ms-with-new-club/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |language=en-US}}

In October 2018, Sam's Club opened{{cite web|url=https://corporate.samsclub.com/blog/2018/10/29/sams-club-now-reimagining-the-future-of-retail|title=Sam's Club Now – Reimagining the Future of Retail|author= Iannone, Jamie|date=29 October 2018|access-date=9 December 2018|website=Sam's Club}} Sam's Club Now, a "mobile-first" retail store where customers use the Sam's Club Now mobile app to scan and pay for merchandise. Customers can also order items ahead of time with same-day curbside pickup at the store. The Sam's Club Now store is located in Dallas, TX.{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Hayley |title=Sam's Club is opening its own version of Amazon Go with no cashiers or registers |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sams-club-now-store-opens-with-no-cashiers-or-registers-2018-10?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}

In March 2020, a Sam's Club store in Midland, Texas was the site of a violent stabbing that wounded three Asian family members, including two young children. The suspect, a 19-year-old, allegedly believed the Chinese were responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-sams-club-attack-man-sentenced-25-years-hate-crime-against-asian-family|title=Texas Sam's Club attack: Man sentenced to 25 years in hate crime against Asian family|publisher=FOX News|date=August 2022}}

In 2021, Sam's Club faced a boycott from some Chinese consumers due to taking Xinjiang-produced goods off the shelves. A number of Chinese consumers cancelled or suspended their membership cards.{{Cite news|last=Lin|first=Liza|date=2021-12-27|title=Walmart Sparks Public Outcry in China Over Products From Xinjiang|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-sparks-public-outcry-in-china-over-products-from-xinjiang-region-11640612454|access-date=2021-12-28|issn=0099-9660}}

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