Sam's Club

Sam's Club operates as a membership-only warehouse chain under Walmart's umbrella, a concept Sam Walton launched in 1983 in Midwest City, Oklahoma, after studying European hypermarkets. The first store opened that April, and expansion moved quickly through the decade, reaching Mexico and Brazil by 1993 and China in 1996. A short-lived Canadian venture from 2003 to 2009 saw six locations open and close. Today the chain runs 602 clubs across 44 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, with no presence in Alaska, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, or Vermont. Club footprints range from 32,000 to 168,000 square feet, averaging around 134,000.

Revenue hit $90.2 billion for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025, placing Sam's Club second among U.S. warehouse clubs, ahead of BJ's and behind Costco. Internationally, 173 clubs operate in Mexico and 48 in China, while Brazil's 58 locations run under license through Grupo Big, now owned by Carrefour. The company also runs gas stations at many sites, with car washes at 41 of them, plus optical centers and pharmacies in most clubs.

The private label Member's Mark has become a key draw, covering everything from ready-made meals like the Choice Beef Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes to double-smoked thick-cut bacon that customers praise as "perfect every time." Membership comes in two tiers: the standard Club and the premium Plus, which adds free same-day or next-day delivery and free shipping. The brand has also leaned into digital tools like Scan & Go, which lets shoppers skip the checkout line entirely. [edit]