BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart has not been shy in its moves to bolster both its e-commerce business and its Sam’s Club banner, and now, the retailer is investing in both with one fell swoop. Sam’s Club has opened a new facility in Memphis, Tennessee, that will be used as an e-commerce fulfillment center (FC). And, according to the company, the FC is the first in a series of planned conversions of former club locations that will take place across the country.
“We moved fast to bring this FC online, and I’m proud of the team that made this happen,” said Mohan Akella, Vice President of Online Supply Chain for the banner. “This FC is going to make sure our members get their orders even faster, and we’re excited about what this means for our business.”
Highlights of the new facility are as follows:
- 135,000-square-feet
- Fifty full-time associates
- First package shipped by the team was to John Furner, Sam’s Club President and CEO, and contained a 100-count box of coffee pods
- Located five miles from a major regional shipping hub, shortening delivery times
- The conversion took less than four months, with the first package shipping in 46 days
- Earlier this year the company announced free shipping on most items for Plus members
- In Q1 2018, Sam’s Club saw online sales increase about 25 percent and a 5.2 percent comp sales increase, excluding fuel and tobacco
- Other regions being considered for fulfillment centers include Texas, Central Florida, the Mid-Atlantic, Southern California, Chicagoland, and the Northeast
“We’re excited Memphis was chosen to be the home of the company’s first FC,” said Charles Dodge, General Manager of the Memphis FC. “We appreciate the support of the community as we’ve converted the club and look forward to continuing the great partnership we have for years to come.”
Will Walmart’s investments in Sam’s Club and e-commerce pay off in big dollar gains? AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest.
