What is the name of Walmart's warehouse club chain?

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Walmart's warehouse club chain is Sam's Club.

Sam Walton opened the first Sam's Wholesale Club on April 7, 1983, in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The business was designed around membership-based shopping, bulk merchandise, warehouse-style buildings, and lower operating costs. It became one of Walmart's major operating divisions alongside Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and eCommerce.

The name honors Sam Walton, who founded Walmart with his brother Bud Walton. The chain dropped “Wholesale” from its name in 1990, becoming simply Sam's Club. Walmart later expanded the division through acquisitions, including PACE Membership Warehouse locations in the 1990s.

Sam's Club is often confused with Costco or BJ's Wholesale Club because all three use a membership warehouse model. They are competitors, however, not Walmart brands. Sam's Club also uses private-label products such as Member's Mark, while Walmart's main stores are associated with brands including Great Value and Equate.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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