Sam's Club Announces Major Changes Amid Costco Rivalry
Sam's Club's CEO says the company is making major changes, including adding 15 new stores per year.
The company is facing competition from rivals like Costco and BJ's Warehouse, which are adding stores, according to CNBC.
CEO Chris Nicholas announced the changes in a LinkedIn post on April 11, 2025.
"We will open the 30 new clubs we’ve shared previously, and I’m excited to share our plans to build a pipeline to 15 new clubs each year for the foreseeable future," he wrote.
"Additionally, we will remodel all 600 clubs as a strategic growth investment, with Grapevine setting the standard. And by leveraging Walmart’s enterprise platforms, we are growing our national eCommerce presence, which allows us to grow membership that is not necessarily tethered to a local club. We are not limited by our physicality; we are enabled by it," Nicholas added.
"We’re on an exciting growth journey at Sam's Club. What started as an experiment more than 40 years ago has grown to a $90B business. And it feels like we’re just getting started! That pioneering spirit is the essence of who we are – and has propelled us to set out an ambitious future: to be the world’s best club retailer," he wrote.
"At yesterday’s Investment Community Meeting we shared our plans to double membership over the next 8-10 years, and as a result, more than double sales and profit – focused on strong membership for growth, redefining the future of the club model and setting a new standard for retail," noted Nicholas.
Concluded Nicholas: "This starts with investing in our physical footprint. We’re expanding our reach through new clubs and remodels, with an eye toward omni engagement and speed."
Despite concerns about tariffs and the economy, Nicholas told CNBC the company is well-positioned.
“In times of plenty, we do well. But in tough times, we do really well,” he said.
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