Sam’s Club was started in 1983 in a small town in Oklahoma. It’s since grown into an international retail giant, offering savings around the globe with plenty of loyal customers.
Whether you’re a member or not, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of the big box retailer's membership perks . And even the most seasoned Sam's shoppers may not know everything about the store.
Here are nine fascinating things you didn’t know about Sam’s Club.
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1. Sam’s Club is bigger than a football field
The warehouse chain has multiple sizes of stores, but the average size of a Sam’s Club is 134,000 sq. ft. — which is more than two football fields.
While a lot of that real estate is taken up by inventory, the tire center, the optical department, the cafe, and employee-only areas, members can expect to get quite a few steps in when shopping at Sam’s Club.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Sam’s Club is not in all 50 states
Despite having 600 clubs around the country, clubs are missing from a few states. Alaska, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington are sans Sam’s Club locations.
There were stores in Alaska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Washington in the past, but they all closed between 2016 and 2018 due to strategic changes in the company. Oregon and Vermont have never had locations, though.
3. Sam’s Club is in China (and it’s popular!)
Several international Sam’s Club locations exist, but the locations are heavily concentrated in South America (Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil).
The first Sam’s Club in China was opened in Shenzhen on August 12, 1996. That’s a long way from Midwest City, OK, where the first Sam’s Club was opened.
Since then, Walmart has opened many more locations throughout China with a current total of 47 clubs, and it has become the most popular membership club there.
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4. Sam’s Club is embracing technology
Sam’s Club has begun describing itself as “a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer” rather than just helping people save money.
The store’s Scan-and-Go app feature allows members to check out as they shop throughout the store.
When customers are done shopping, they pay on their phone and show the receipt upon exiting — removing the need to wait in long lines at checkout. Sam’s Club offers exclusive savings for customers who use the Scan-and-Go app.
The savings club giant also uses AI technology in the search functions of its app and website. Sam’s Club will continue using technology to streamline and reduce costs.
5. Sam’s Club pays dividends
Walmart, Sam’s Club's parent company, increased dividend payments to its investors by 9% this year—the biggest increase ever. Dividend stocks pay their shareholders based on profits and the number of shares they own.
In January 2024, Walmart announced a stock split, increasing the amount of stock available for purchase. This means after the split, for 2025, WMT will pay out $0.83 per share.
6. You can shop at Sam’s Club without a membership
Sam’s Club offers guest memberships to those who want to shop without purchasing a membership — however, it comes with some strict rules.
Guest members can only shop online, not in-store or for curbside pickup. They pay an additional 10% fee on the total, and purchases are not covered by Sam’s Club’s satisfaction guarantee.
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This is strictly a members-only benefit, but you can place an order online by 1 p.m. and have it delivered to your door that same day. Sam’s Club also promises no markups when you choose this option, unlike third-party delivery services like Instacart.
Each delivery costs a flat fee of $12 for Club members and $8 for Plus members. To be eligible, members must live within a 15-mile radius of the stores and have an active membership.
8. Sam’s Club offers health insurance
Sam’s Club is partnered with SimplyInsured to help small business owners offer health insurance coverage to their employees.
The site offers hundreds of plan options from national carriers, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. You can purchase plans for companies as small as 1-4 employees.
9. Sam’s Club has a 100% satisfaction guarantee
The warehouse giant has a lenient return policy for members. The website states, “If a Member is not satisfied with the merchandise they purchased from Sam's Club, whether in-club or online, we'll replace it or provide a refund in most cases.”
There are a few exceptions to this rule — cell phones, appliances, motorsport vehicles, and electronics — but it's a great way to ensure you’re not wasting money on your grocery trips.
The satisfaction guarantee also includes the membership. If you aren’t happy with your membership at any point, you can talk to member services and receive a refund for your membership fees.
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Sam’s Club continues to grow. Recently, the chain announced plans for 30 more locations across the United States.
With the focus on technology and convenience, customers can expect AI usage to grow at their local club store. Sam’s Club recognizes that the more it streamlines, the more its customers can save money on groceries and more.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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