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Abhijeet S
Sam's West, Inc. (doing business as Sam's Club) is an American chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Walmart, founded in 1983 and named after Walmart founder Sam Walton. As of 2012, Sam's Club chain serves 47 million U.S. (including Puerto Rico) members and is the 8th largest U.S. retailer.[3] As of January 31, 2008, Sam's Club ranks second in sales volume among warehouse clubs with $56.828 billion in sales[2] (in fiscal year 2016) behind Costco, despite the fact that Sam's has more retail locations.[4]
Sam's Club had sales of $57.157 billion in FY 2014.[5] It reported a 0.3% sales increase in 2014, 4.1% in 2013, and 8.4% sales increase in 2012. This is significantly higher growth than Walmart U.S. stores, which did not have higher than 2% growth since 2010.[5]
Its major competitors are Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club.
As of June 31, 2016, Sam's Club operates 653 membership warehouse clubs in 47 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.[1] Oregon, Rhode Island (which that state's only location closed in February 2016) and Vermont are the only states where Sam's Club does not operate, as is the case for the District of Columbia. Walmart International also operates Sam's Clubs in Mexico, Brazil, and China. It has 161 locations in Mexico,[1] 27 locations in Brazil[1] and 13 in China.[1] Locations generally range in size from 71,000–168,000 sq ft (6,600–15,600 m2), with an average club size of approximately 134,000 sq ft (12,400 m2).[2]
There was also Sam's Club in Canada, in which the last location closed in 2009.
Sam's Business Center[edit]
Sam's Club opened their first Business Center in Houston, Texas, in August 2008. Converted from an existing Sam's location, the Business Center is similar in concept to Costco's Business Centers.
In January 2010, the company announced it would be closing its Business Center, along with nine other clubs across the United States.[17]
Other retail formats[edit]
In Houston, Sam's Club opened Más Club in August 2009,[18] a club geared towards the Hispanic population. Membership in Más Club was separate from membership in Sam's Club. It closed in February 2014.
Membership[edit]
Membership is required to purchase at Sam's Club (except at the cafe and pharmacy where federal law prohibits sales of prescription drugs to members only, as well as liquor and gasoline in some states); however, a one-time day pass may be obtained from many Walmart newspaper ads. A 10% surcharge is added (except where forbidden by local laws) to the prices for non-members, except for optical, pharmacy, cafe, or alcohol items where available. All memberships fees are 100% guaranteed at any point of time in the membership tenure.
Renewal of memberships can be done via the internet, through the mail, in-club at the Membership Services desk, any cash register, and also at the new ATM/Membership kiosks (the latter only available in select locations).
In the United States, Sam's Club memberships are divided into three categories: Business, Savings and Plus, each with an annual fee. Sam's Plus is the most comprehensive membership plan, that includes Cash Rewards and extra savings in Pharmacy and Optometry
Sam's Club had sales of $57.157 billion in FY 2014.[5] It reported a 0.3% sales increase in 2014, 4.1% in 2013, and 8.4% sales increase in 2012. This is significantly higher growth than Walmart U.S. stores, which did not have higher than 2% growth since 2010.[5]
Its major competitors are Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club.
As of June 31, 2016, Sam's Club operates 653 membership warehouse clubs in 47 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.[1] Oregon, Rhode Island (which that state's only location closed in February 2016) and Vermont are the only states where Sam's Club does not operate, as is the case for the District of Columbia. Walmart International also operates Sam's Clubs in Mexico, Brazil, and China. It has 161 locations in Mexico,[1] 27 locations in Brazil[1] and 13 in China.[1] Locations generally range in size from 71,000–168,000 sq ft (6,600–15,600 m2), with an average club size of approximately 134,000 sq ft (12,400 m2).[2]
There was also Sam's Club in Canada, in which the last location closed in 2009.
Sam's Business Center[edit]
Sam's Club opened their first Business Center in Houston, Texas, in August 2008. Converted from an existing Sam's location, the Business Center is similar in concept to Costco's Business Centers.
In January 2010, the company announced it would be closing its Business Center, along with nine other clubs across the United States.[17]
Other retail formats[edit]
In Houston, Sam's Club opened Más Club in August 2009,[18] a club geared towards the Hispanic population. Membership in Más Club was separate from membership in Sam's Club. It closed in February 2014.
Membership[edit]
Membership is required to purchase at Sam's Club (except at the cafe and pharmacy where federal law prohibits sales of prescription drugs to members only, as well as liquor and gasoline in some states); however, a one-time day pass may be obtained from many Walmart newspaper ads. A 10% surcharge is added (except where forbidden by local laws) to the prices for non-members, except for optical, pharmacy, cafe, or alcohol items where available. All memberships fees are 100% guaranteed at any point of time in the membership tenure.
Renewal of memberships can be done via the internet, through the mail, in-club at the Membership Services desk, any cash register, and also at the new ATM/Membership kiosks (the latter only available in select locations).
In the United States, Sam's Club memberships are divided into three categories: Business, Savings and Plus, each with an annual fee. Sam's Plus is the most comprehensive membership plan, that includes Cash Rewards and extra savings in Pharmacy and Optometry
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