Sam’s Club is accelerating its long-term expansion plans, with aims to open 15 new locations each year and remodel all 600 of its existing clubs into digitally advanced formats.
The modernization effort will be based on the retailer’s flagship Grapevine, Texas store, which serves as a prototype for integrating tech-driven operations.
The retailer, owned by Walmart, also plans to double its membership base within the next eight to ten years.
Chris Nicholas, CEO and of Sam’s Club US, said the business is starting from a strong position.
“Membership is at an all-time high,” he noted, adding that income from memberships has risen 22% over the past two years.
Renewal rates also remain strong, with over 90% of long-term members staying on and a growing proportion of new members coming from Gen Z and millennial cohorts.
The expansion efforts were discussed during Walmart’s investor meeting on 9 April, where the leadership team set out the company’s broader strategic priorities.
CEO Doug McMillon also emphasized Walmart’s ability to adapt in challenging conditions.
“While in the short term we are not immune to some of the effects businesses face in today’s operating environment, we are uniquely positioned to play offense,” he added.
“Changes we’re making to our business add even more strength and flexibility for our future. We’re an ‘and’ company: We’re people and tech; stores and ecommerce; innovation and execution.”
Walmart is placing particular importance on maintaining low prices amid ongoing cost pressures.
Internationally, the company has reported a 45% rise in ecommerce sales over two years, with a strategic focus on growth markets in Mexico, China and India.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
