Sam's Club announces expansion plans for US locations
Sam's Club has announced an expansion strategy that includes opening approximately 15 new warehouse clubs annually and remodeling all 600 of its existing locations in the United States.
Why It Matters
The company is positioning itself as a budget-conscious destination at a time when many households are adjusting to economic pressure from inflation and new tariffs. Net sales reached $90.2 billion for the fiscal year ending January 2025—a 53-percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
What To Know
The expansion plan marks a significant ramp-up from prior growth targets and hopes to solidify the Walmart-owned chain's position in the competitive wholesale retail sector.
The company unveiled its initiative during Walmart's 2025 Investment Community Meeting on April 9. CEO Chris Nicholas said that the new approach will focus on scaling operations, enhancing the shopping experience, and boosting membership.
Sam's Club said it will continue opening new locations by establishing infrastructure to support approximately 15 new branches each year.
The first two new locations in fiscal year 2025 are planned for Tempe, Arizona, and Lebanon, Tennessee—marking the brand's debut in both cities.
In addition to new store construction, all current locations will be remodeled using a design tested in Grapevine, Texas. That store, which reopened in late 2024 after renovations due to tornado damage, operates without registers.
The scan-only system at staffed locations at the store had been "met with enthusiasm" by customers, the retailer said.
What People Are Saying
Walmart CEO Chris Nicholas said in a statement on April 11: "This is one of the fastest, most scalable transformations happening in retail today. We're investing with intention—in our fleet, our associates and the member experience—to become the world's best club retailer," Forbes reported.
"In times of plenty, we do well. But in tough times, we do really well," Nicholas said in an interview with CNBC.
Americans will see grocery prices rise "in the next couple of weeks" as a result of the trade war unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, the leader of a chain of independent stores said.
"Shoppers will start seeing it at scale across the store in the next 90 days," John Ross, the CEO of IGA, a chain of franchised grocery stores, told CNN.
What Happens Next
As part of the remodeling, stores will also have more digital shopping options.
The company began signaling this strategic direction in January 2023, when it initially announced plans to open 30 new stores and modernize its supply chain. Since then, it has said it had expanded its ambitions, citing strong financials and consumer demand. Seven additional stores are currently under development, including one in Grapevine, Texas.