Best known for its low prices, a wide array of items available in-store and online, and the numerous services they provide, it’s no surprise why millions of people love Sam’s Club.
Are you curious about how Sam’s Club became one of the leading warehouse retailers in the US or how Sam’s Club maintains success year after year?
If you want to discover more about Sam’s Club and its history, emerging trends, and the company’s growth, read on to learn 15 facts about Sam’s Club!
15 Sam’s Club Facts, Statistics, And Trends
Sam’s Club History
1. Sam’s Club Was Founded In 1983
A common misconception about Sam’s Club is the age of the company. Many people think Sam’s Club has been around for much longer than 38 years.
The first Sam’s Club opened on April 7, 1983, in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The company’s owner, Sam Walton, wanted to give customers access to additional savings on products through bulk purchasing options.
2. Walmart Owns And Operates Sam’s Club
21 years after Sam Walton founded Walmart, Sam’s Club came into existence. All Sam’s Club warehouses are owned and operated by Walmart Inc. as of 2021.
Because Walmart is Sam’s Club’s parent company, Sam’s Club does not have stock options because it is not publicly traded.
So, if you want to invest in Sam’s Club, you have to do so by purchasing Walmart stock instead.
3. Sam’s Club’s HQ Is In Arkansas
Both Sam’s Club and Walmart share the same location for their headquarters, which is in Bentonville, Arkansas. The reason Sam’s Club’s headquarters are in Arkansas is the lower property cost.
Bentonville is only a 20-minute drive from where the first Walmart opened up in Rogers, Arkansas.
4. Sam’s Club Sells Their Products In Bulk
Almost all of the merchandise sold at Sam’s Club is sold in bulk and directly off the pallets they were shipped on.
Each Sam’s Club store is set up like a warehouse, with most of the products displayed on pallets.
Items like food, cleaning supplies, paper products, and clothing are all shipped to the Sam’s Club store in bulk, allowing members to save money because they buy in larger quantities than most retail stores can offer.
Sam’s Club Growth
5. Sam’s Club Offers Additional Services To Members
Sam’s Club wants its stores to have everything their members are searching for, and that is not limited to tangible items like food and household goods.
Almost all Sam’s Club stores also provide convenient services for their members. For example, most Sam’s Clubs have a Pharmacy, Optical Center, and Auto Center.
So, whether you need to stock up on groceries, get your car tires installed, or both, Sam’s Club has you covered!
6. Sam’s Club’s Floor Plan Continuously Changes
A central priority for each Sam’s Club warehouse is to pass savings to their members. One way Sam’s Club does this is by stocking in-demand products based on member purchasing trends.
By keeping track of popular products, Sam’s Club is able to purchase large quantities, maintain efficient shopping environments, and pass on savings to its members.
Another way Sam’s Club keeps a simple shopping environment is by displaying merchandise on pallets. Shipping pallets make it easier for Sam’s Club employees to move products around the store.
7. Sam’s Club Is The Second Ranking Warehouse Club
Sam’s Club’s endless product selection and low annual membership fees have made the company one of the leading warehouse retailers.
As of 2019, Sam’s Club ranked second in sales volume amongst warehouse retailers, falling just behind their well-known rival, Costco Wholesale.
8. Sam’s Club Has Stores All Over The World
Sam’s Club has over 800 warehouse stores across the globe as of 2021. 599 of Sam’s Club’s stores are located in the United States, with at least one store in 44 states.
Other countries and territories with Sam’s Club warehouses include:
- Puerto Rico
- S. Virgin Islands
- Mexico
- China
There are currently 165 Sam’s Clubs in Mexico and 32 located in China.
The Sam’s Club warehouses in China and Mexico are owned and operated by Walmart International, which specializes in developing an efficient supply chain for global operations.
9. Sam’s Club Owns A Private Brand
Sam’s Club doesn’t only carry some of the world’s leading brands; they also have their own private brand of products, called Member’s Mark.
Member’s Mark products are premium quality and available only to Sam’s Club members and allow customers to access even more savings while shopping at Sam’s Club.
One brand similar to Member’s Mark is Great Value, a Walmart-owned brand that offers everyday items, like napkins or potato chips, at a reduced cost.
10. Sam’s Club Continues To Increase Sales
From 2009 to 2021, Sam’s Club has achieved positive sales growth each year besides 2010 and 2016.
Additionally, Sam’s Club recorded one of their highest sales growth percentages (8.7%) entering into 2021 despite the global pandemic altering the economy.
Regarding Sam’s Club’s total revenue, the warehouse retailer recorded $64 billion in total revenue for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2021.
Sam’s Club Emerging Trends
11. Sam’s Club Recently Closed Select Stores
In 2018, Sam’s Club unexpectedly closed 63 of its stores in the United States. Financial struggles were not the reason Sam’s Club chose to shut down some of its warehouses.
Sam’s Club chose to shut down some of its stores due to its potential customer base.
The towns’ populations did not grow as much as Sam’s Club predicted in the locations where warehouses had to close.
Additionally, about 12 of the closed Sam’s Club locations are transforming into e-commerce distribution centers.
New distribution centers will give Sam’s Club a wider fulfillment network and help get online orders delivered to members faster.
12. Sam’s Club Warehouses Are Environmentally Conscious
Sam’s Club has taken action to make its warehouses more environmentally conscious throughout recent years.
Several Sam’s Clubs feature night-dimming lights, central energy management, day-lighting with skylights, water-conserving fixtures, various recycling programs, and natural concrete floors.
13. Sam’s Club Recently Integrated Consumer-Focused Technology
Sam’s Club has been able to remain a leader in the retail industry by incorporating technology that makes shopping more convenient for its members.
For example, the Sam’s Club app allows members to scan items while shopping so they can skip the checkout line.
Other features in the Sam’s Club app include online shopping, curbside pickup, and delivery through the Instacart app.
14. Employees Get Promoted From Within At Sam’s Club
Across their 600 warehouses within the United States, Sam’s Club has around 36,000 employees working hard in their stores.
A few of the reasons Sam’s Club employees enjoy working at the warehouse retailer are the relaxed dress code, flexible hours, and the opportunity to receive a promotion.
For example, about 75% of Sam’s Club employees in management positions were promoted from their hourly positions.
15. Sam’s Club Warehouses Are Massive
Because they sell almost all of their products in bulk and directly off pallets, Sam’s Club warehouses have to be pretty big to fit all the required products.
With that being said, the average Sam’s Club warehouse is about 133,000 square feet.
Although this warehouse size is massive, Sam’s Club’s main competitor, Costco, has larger warehouses, which reach around 146,000 square feet.
The introduction of free curbside pickup and order delivery is incredibly popular at Sam’s Club, so members can avoid walking through the large warehouses.
If you are looking to learn more, you can see our related posts on whether or not Sam’s Club is a franchise, if you can buy Sam’s Club stock, and also some facts about Sam’s Club operator, Walmart.
Conclusion
As one of the leading warehouse retailers in the world, Sam’s Club continuously makes business alterations that help its members save money and make their shopping experience more convenient.
Since 1983, one thing about Sam’s Club has remained consistent; bulk purchases on everyday items for an incredibly low price.
