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Walmart 2012 Annual Report 11
Our Foundation:
Building a better wholesale retailer
Sam Walton was never afraid to try an experiment when
growing his business. Sam’s Club is one of his most successful
experiments. In 1983, a group of Walmart veterans that he
called “mavericks” opened the rst Sam’s Club in Midwest City,
Okla. Almost 30 years later, Sam’s Club has more than 600
locations across the United States.
After two consecutive years of quality results, Sam’s Club has strong
momentum that sets the stage for continued growth in the warehouse
club segment. Fiscal 2012 net sales increased 8.8 percent to $53.8 billion,
while operating income grew 9.0 percent to $1.9 billion. Members are
shopping more frequently, shopping more categories and spending a
greater share of their wallet with Sam’s Club.
We connect with Members by leveraging insights
about how a Sam’s Club membership can meet and
exceed their shopping needs and preferences.
High-quality merchandise, price leadership on
everyday needs and innovative Member services
continue to drive Member engagement.
We deliver quality at a superior value – evidenced
by the strong growth in key categories such as
produce, fresh and frozen foods, and health and
wellness. In an economic environment where more
families forego a restaurant trip and eat at home,
our assortment of fresh foods, including prepared
home meals, provides a convenient solution. In
entertainment, home, jewelry and apparel, we
provide favorite national brands at a great value.
Product sampling and unique road show merchan-
dise, combined with superior Member service from
our associates, make Sam’s Club a fun and exciting
place to shop.
Knowledgeable and dedicated associates help
Members and ensure that the club is in stock. We
drive the productivity loop and invest operational
savings back into membership value. Clean, fast
and friendly clubs are important to Members and
their feedback says we continue to exceed their
expectations. We are growing, with plans to open
nine new clubs in fiscal 2013, while relocating or
expanding six more.
We help Members shop smarter through
e-commerce and the latest technology. The Sam’s
Club mobile app allows Members to review and
shop our online and in-club inventory, build
customized shopping lists, and renew their
memberships – all from a smartphone or iPad®.