Sam’s Club Charts Bold Expansion Path with New Stores

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Sam’s Club, Walmart’s warehouse club powerhouse, has announced an ambitious nationwide expansion strategy poised to reshape the competitive landscape of bulk retail in the U.S.

Over the next decade, the company aims to double its membership, sales, and profits by aggressively investing in new store openings, technology-forward remodels, and a fortified supply chain.

This significant push comes on the back of record-breaking sales figures and changing consumer preferences that favor convenience, speed, and digital innovation.

15+ New Stores a Year — and No Signs of Slowing

Sam’s Club will open 15 new stores annually, marking its most significant growth initiative in more than a decade. This move builds on a previous five-year plan to launch 30 stores, reflecting growing confidence in the club’s long-term market potential.

“We’re just getting started,” said Chris Nicholas, Sam’s Club President and CEO, during Walmart’s 2025 Investment Community Meeting. “The demand is there, the membership is growing, and we’re scaling our operations to meet that demand while delivering an elevated member experience.”

The new locations are expected to target both underserved suburban communities and rapidly growing metro areas — aiming to bridge convenience gaps left by competitors like Costco and BJ’s Wholesale.

Remodeling All 600 U.S. Stores for the Future

In an equally bold move, Sam’s Club plans to modernize every one of its 600 U.S. clubs. These aren’t superficial upgrades — the redesigned stores will embrace digital-first features, including:

• App-based smart checkouts

• AI-enabled entry/exit sensors for seamless purchases

• Expanded scan-and-go lanes

• Enhanced in-store navigation

According to Sam’s Club executives, the goal is to eliminate friction points and offer members an Amazon-like ease of shopping — but in a physical space.

Supply Chain Power-Up: New Fulfillment Hubs on the Horizon

To support this physical and digital growth, Sam’s Club is also significantly upgrading its logistics network. It plans to build multiple state-of-the-art fulfillment and distribution centers, each powered by automation and robotics.

These high-tech facilities will enable faster deliveries, improved inventory management, and better support for the club’s growing e-commerce segment, which saw a 24 percent surge in sales last quarter.

Numbers That Justify the Growth

The move follows a period of stellar performance for Sam’s Club. The company recently reported:

• $90.2 billion in annual net sales, up 53 percent since pre-pandemic levels

• 5.9 percent increase in comparable-store sales

• 13 percent growth in membership income year-over-year

With this financial momentum, Sam’s Club appears to be positioning itself not only as a strong complement to Walmart but also as a serious contender to market leader Costco.

Long-Term Vision: Redefining Value in the Warehouse Retail Space

The overarching vision is clear: Sam’s Club wants to move from being a “value-driven warehouse store” to a tech-enabled lifestyle retailer that delivers convenience, customization, and community.

In Nicholas’s words, “We’re evolving from a club people shop at once a month into a brand they engage with daily — through app, delivery, and in-store experience.”

As consumers increasingly seek value and convenience amid economic shifts, Sam’s Club’s holistic transformation could set a new standard for the industry.

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Sam’s Club’s multi-pronged expansion strategy — blending new builds, smart remodels, and next-gen logistics — signals a massive shift in how warehouse clubs operate and compete. With strong sales backing the vision and consumer behavior aligning with its goals, this could be one of the most pivotal retail stories of the decade.

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