At Walmart Inc.’s 2025 Investment Community Meeting, Sam’s Club shared its long-term vision to redefine the club model and set a new standard in retail.
The $90 billion business, which began as a bold experiment over four decades ago, is entering a new era of transformation, with plans to double membership and more than double sales and profit over the next eight to 10 years, according to a news release.
Sam’s Club President and CEO Chris Nicholas outlined the company’s growth ambitions, emphasizing a strategy anchored in strengthening membership, expanding physical and digital capabilities and delivering a seamless, elevated experience for members.
“This is one of the fastest, most scalable transformations happening in retail today,” Nicholas said. “We’re investing with intention — in our fleet, our associates and the member experience — to become the world’s best club retailer.”
As part of its long-term road map, Sam’s Club will open 30 new locations as previously announced, while building a pipeline to open approximately 15 new clubs each year over the planning horizon. The retailer also plans to remodel all 600 of its existing clubs, with the newly opened Grapevine, Texas, location setting the standard for the club of the future, the release said.
These physical investments are being matched by a powerful digital expansion, the company said. By leveraging Walmart’s enterprise fulfillment network and technology platforms, Sam’s Club is scaling a national e-commerce presence that enables membership growth beyond its physical club footprint.
“We are not limited by our physicality, we are enabled by it,” Nicholas said during the meeting. “Our omnichannel model creates more opportunities to engage with members where they are and how they want to shop.”
Sam’s Club continues to evolve its member value proposition across four key pillars: value, assortment, experience and trust. The Member’s Mark private brand, which represents approximately 50% of merchandise sales growth over the past two years, reflects Sam’s Club’s commitment to quality, innovation and price leadership, the release said.
Meanwhile, investments in digital tools such as Scan and Go, Just Go exit technology and personalized, AI-driven advertising are elevating the member experience and removing friction from the shopping journey.
Recent enhancements to the e-commerce proposition, including free shipping for Plus members and free curbside pickup for Club members, have contributed to record highs in digital penetration and first-year renewal rates, the release said.
Sam’s Club’s 100,000 associates remain central to the company’s momentum, it said, adding that recent wage investments, career progression opportunities and the adoption of AI tools to streamline repetitive tasks have improved both operational efficiency and associate engagement.
“When a member has a meaningful, positive interaction with an associate, they’re more likely to renew — and stay loyal,” Nicholas said. “We’re building a culture that supports our associates as much as our members, because that’s how we win.”
With all-time highs in membership and a rapidly growing advertising and services business, Sam’s Club says it is confident in its ability to capture a greater share of the expanding club channel. The company’s omni approach enables deeper relationships with members, particularly younger generations, and positions Sam’s Club to unlock value for both members and shareholders, the release said.
“We’ve built the foundation. Now, we’re accelerating,” Nicholas said. “Sam’s Club is on a mission to become the world’s best club retailer — and we’re just getting started.”