Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Sam’s Club Wants To Shed Its Walmart-Like Persona

Oftentimes, children of successful, well-known parents struggle to get out from their elder’s shadow. Such is the case for warehouse retailer Sam’s Club, which announced its desire this week to break away from its parent company Walmart.

The company announced a new strategy over the weekend that aims to differentiate the shopping experience at Sam’s Club from that of Walmart, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“We want to be less of a Walmart,” Sam’s Club chief executive Rosalind Brewer said before unveiling the updated strategy that includes increasing online sales and adding ancillary services like tax preparations.

Under the new plan, Sam’s Club stores will begin catering to households that make more than $45,000 per year, by carrying more organic food, brand-name clothing and higher-end household products like 1,000-count Egyptian sheets.

More

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

In other words, Sam's wants to be Costco. Yeah...that's not happening.

Anonymous said...

But you are a walmart with door fees. That will NEVER change.

Anonymous said...

Stop building them next door to walmarts would be a start. Sometimes the same products are less at walmart than at sam's club.

Anonymous said...

I go there for low prices, not Eqyptian sheets. Do it and die.

Anonymous said...

Still sleeping on those star trek sheets?

Anonymous said...

7:31 AM, so true, so do I.

Scott said...

I quit going years ago. It was a ninety degree day and there were only two registers open at the Salisbury store. I waited in line for over an hour. I along with others voiced our displeasure. I had meats and frozen foods in my cart. I was told by the workers to file a complaint which I did. Since this incident, I have never stepped foot in there store or any Sam's club again. Its bad enough to be carded when you enter the store and when you leave, but to add injury to insult, having to wait an unreasonable time at checkout because they refuse to open anymore registers. I now go to BJ's wholesale warehouse. Never had this problem since and no sales tax in DE!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a member and shareholder of Costco. Why? It's the C-note store. No matter what you go in there for, you end up spending at least $100. Plus, I like the low employee turnover; it's like you almost get to know the employees.

That's something Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, will never accomplish.

Anonymous said...

8:27 Where is the nearest Costco?
I shop at Trader Joes' and Whole Foods in Annapolis.
Would love to go to Costco if there is one here on the Shore within 100 miles. There is nothing here in Salisbury. Food Lion and Giant have merged and there is little to no choice now in where to shop. I refuse to give Walmart my money! The store and the workers suck! I go there only as a last resort if an item can be found no where else. In general they are bad for any community that has one. They close up businesses and destroy competition.

Anonymous said...

well that could be tough since they are the same company

Anonymous said...

i can buy hi end products at the mall and don't have to pay for a membership card. Sam's it will not work.....and you will be out of bussiness.

Anonymous said...

We can only hope that Costco will open a store in the vicinity to give Sam's a run for the money.

Anonymous said...


Want to get the over $45K customers and go up market?

Easy. Don't accept EBT cards. But the drop in customer count might cause palpitations!

Anonymous said...

They can start by opening more than 10% of their registers at any given time. I avoid the store when it's busy because it takes too long to check out.