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Template:Infobox Company Sam's Club is an American chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs. Founded in 1983, it is owned and operated by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and is named for Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. As of 2008, the Sam's Club chain operates in 48 of the 50 U.S. States, and serves more than 47 million U.S. members.[1] Sam's Club ranks second in sales volume among warehouse clubs behind Costco Wholesale, despite the fact that Sam's has more retail locations.[2] Template:As of, Sam's Club operated 713 membership warehouse clubs in 48 U.S. states (Oregon and Vermont are the only states without a Sam’s Club), as well as four other territories. Locations typically range in size from 70,000 – 190,000 square feet, with an average club size of approximately 132,000 square feet.[1]
HistoryThe first Sam's Club opened in April 1983 in Midwest City, Oklahoma in the United States.[3] Sam's Club is named after Sam Walton. To purchase items from Sam's Club, one must purchase a membership. Many Sam's Club customers are small businesses that wish to offer customers a limited selection of food without the expense of having it delivered. In 1989, Sam's entered New Jersey with a store in Cinnaminson. This was Wal-Mart's first foray into the Northeast. The first Wal-Mart discount store in New Jersey would open in 1991 in Turnersville. The company had entered the Pennsylvania market in 1990. In 1993, Wal-Mart acquired PACE Membership Warehouse from Kmart and converted many (but not all) PACE locations into Sam's Clubs. The latest flagship store opening as of September 13, 2007 was in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is the second largest Sam's Club store; its largest is located in Utica, Michigan, with over Template:Convert. of retail space. After Costco's announcement on its change of return policy for consumer electronics (now within 90 days) beginning on February 26, 2007, Sam's Club finds itself now to be tied with Nordstrom for having best, most liberal return/refund policy in the retail business. Template:Fact In 2006, Wal-Mart acquired The Central American Retail Holding Company (CARHO), which operates ClubCo stores, similar in concept to Sam's Club, although with a smaller footprint. In September 24, 2006, Sam's Club received a new logo. The new logo has an updated serif font and features a green and blue diamond inside the big blue diamond, found above the word 'Sam's'. Sam's Club's previous slogan was "We Are In Business For Small Business" until 2006, Sam's Club had no slogan after the redesign of the new logo. The decision to remove the slogan comes as Sam's Club attempts to remove itself from serving just small businesses and open up to more individual customers. In December, 2007. Sam's Club launched a new slogan, "Enjoy the Possibilities". Since then it became an official advertising slogan, mentioned in TV & Radio Ads, but it is not mentioned on its website. Until early January, 2008 the "Enjoy the Possibilities" slogan was no longer in use. Starting in April 2007 there was speculation of a possible sale or spinoff of Sam's Club from parent company Wal-Mart.[4] [5] At Wal-Mart's 2007 annual shareholder's meeting in June, management said that Sam's Club is not for sale, although they didn't say they are not considering a spinoff. [6] DesignLike other warehouse clubs, most merchandise sold at Sam's Club is sold in bulk and directly off pallets. Clubs are arranged much like a warehouse, with merchandise stocked in warehouse-style steel bins. There are currently over 580 Sam's Clubs in the United States. Products sold include jewelry, designer goods, sunglasses, crystal and collectibles, electronics, floral, apparel, food and meats. Most locations have Pharmacy, Tire and Battery, Photo, Bakery, Optical, Café and Floral departments. Sam's Club markets items under the private labels Member's Mark, Bakers & Chefs, and Sam's Club. It does not sell the Sam's Choice or Great Value brands, which are available in Wal-Mart stores. Another notable feature in most stores is the presence of stands at which Sam's employees prepare various food products for customers to sample before purchasing. Today, Sam’s Club has more than 47 million U.S. Members and operates more than 580 Clubs nationwide, as well as more than 100 international locations in Brazil, Canada, China, and Mexico. There are also stores in the U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico. A typical Sam’s Club stands between 110,000 and Template:Convert. The Sam's Club division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. had total sales revenue of US$44.4 billion for fiscal year ending 31 January 2008. Sam's primary competitor is Costco Wholesale, and many Sam's warehouses closely emulate the design and product selection found at Costco. Sam's Business CenterSam's Club opened their first ever Business Center in Houston, Texas, in August, 2008. Converted from an existing Sam's location, the Business Center is similar in concept to Costco's Business Centers. There is no food court, pharmacy, optical department and doctor's office, tires & batteries, clothing, jewelry, entertainment, books or seasonal department; and some other consumer-orientated departments have been shrunk. In the new space, there is new and expanded merchandise lines which appeal to business owners and managers. A large walk-in cooler and freezer is located in the back, and Sam's first ever copy, print & ship center has mailbox rentals which are available from the outside 24 hours a day. The Business Center stocks an additional 2,500 SKU's than a typical Sam's location, focusing on having a deeper selection of specialty items businesses need. A fleet of private trucks offers delivery service within a 25 mile radius on orders of at least $250. The trucks are capable of storing frozen, refrigerated and dry items. The Business Center is open from 6AM - 6PM Mon-Sat, and unlike the Costco Business Centers, which are closed on Sundays, the Sam's Business Center is open 8AM - 2PM Sunday. [7] Other retail formatsIn Houston, Sam's will open Mas Club, a club geared towards the hispanic population. Membership in Mas Club will be separate from membership in Sam's Club. Membership fees have not yet been determined.Template:Fact Payment optionsSam's Club stores accept Sam's Club Credit Card, Discover Card, MasterCard, debit cards, Wal-Mart/Sam's Club Shopping Cards, cash or cheques [1]. MasterCard is a recent addition - up until 9 November 2006, it was not an option, because of the high processing fees. Visa Credit Cards are still not accepted, because of the high processing fees, although in the past it was accepted during testing periods. However Visa Debit Cards are accepted in most clubs. American Express is not accepted, likely because rival Costco has an exclusive acceptance agreement. The online store accepts a Sam's Club Credit Account, Wal-Mart/Sam's Club Shopping Card, Check, Discover, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. MembershipMembership is required to purchase at Sam's Club (except for prescription drugs where federal law prohibits sales to members only, as well as liquor and gasoline in some states); however, a one-time day pass may be obtained from many Wal-Mart newspaper ads. A 10% surcharge is added (except where forbidden by local laws) to the prices for non-members, except for optical, pharmacy, cafe, or alcohol items where available. All memberships are 100% refundable at any time for any reason, even on the date that it is to be renewed. Renewal of memberships can be done via the internet, through the mail, in-club at the Membership Services desk, any cash register, and also at the new ATM/Membership kiosks (the latter only available in select locations). Sam's Club memberships are divided into three categories: Business, Advantage, and the new Collegiate (http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=12100&atg=12542).[8] Business memberships cost $35 per year, but are only available to local businesses and their employees. Advantage memberships cost $40 per year, and are available to everyone. The new Collegiate Membership costs $40 per year (which includes a $15 gift card) and is only available to college students (college identification required [2]). Each paid membership card comes with a second free card for anyone at the same address. The Advantage or Business Memberships can be upgraded to a Plus membership for an annual cost of $100 per year[3]. The Plus membership offers discounts and deals for a few services and products within Sam's (similar to free 12 month extended warranty for every extended warranty purchased) and more offered for outside goods and services (which is a free medical discount card, travel discounts, including currently a $100 travel voucher, discounts at FedEx Kinkos for Business Plus members, merchant credit card processing, etc.).[9] As with the Advantage and Business memberships, Plus memberships are 100% refundable. Starting July 21, 2008, Sam's Club also offers college students (with a current student ID and school-issued e-mail address) a one year membership for $40; which comes with a $15 gift card upon signup. As with other memberships, every college membership includes a free add-on card. [10] It is possible to shop for any item at Sam's Club without paying the membership fee. Passes are available for anyone to shop with a 10% surcharge applied to their purchase. Also, giftcards purchased at Wal-Mart may be used to gain entry and purchase any item without a membership, subject to a 10% surcharge on most items in most locations. The Pharmacy, Optical, and Cafe departments do not require a membership to shop there. Also, alcohol can be purchased surcharge free by non-members. Logos
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