I joined Jim Russell in Bentonville, Arkansas where we were successful in getting our Telescopic Jumbo Ratcheting Anvil Lopper into Sam’s Club in 2007. This week, we were given an opportunity to present recommendations for spring 2012 and learn more ways that we can serve Sam’s Club. I expect to learn if any of our products are accepted for next spring, within two weeks and our new buyer gave me some homework that I look forward to completing and presenting to her early this week.
Sam’s Club is a membership-only warehouse clubs owned and operated by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and named after Wal-Mart founder Mr. Samuel Walton. In 1945, after leaving the military, Mr. Walton took over management of his first variety store at the young age of 26. With the help of a $20,000 loan from his father-in-law, plus $5,000 he had saved from his time spent in the Army. Sam purchased a Ben Franklin variety store, his first, in Newport, Arkansas. Sam Walton was a businessman and entrepreneur born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma best known for founding the retailers Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.
As of 2008, the Sam’s Club chain serves more than 47 million U.S. members. Sam’s Club ranks second in sales volume among warehouse clubs behind Costco, despite that Sam’s has more locations. As of 2009 Costco Wholesale is the third largest retailer in the United States and ranked the ninth largest in the world. As of October 2007, Costco is the largest retailer of fine wine in the world.
I know this doesn’t really have anything to do with garden tools … but I like wine.
Like other retail warehouse clubs, Sam’s Club sells most merchandise including Trail Blazer Jumbo Loppers in bulk and directly off pallets. As of January 31, 2025 there were 602 Sam’s Clubs in 48 U.S. states (Oregon and Vermont are the only two states without a Sam’s Club). In Houston, Sam’s Club opened Más Club in August 2009, a club geared towards the Hispanic population. There are also stores in the U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico and more than 100 international locations in Brazil, China and Mexico. All together achieving total sales revenue of $46.9 billion for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009.
Over breakfast & before our meeting, Jim and I had the opportunity to talk about growing distribution requirements that we are experiencing from Sam’s Club, Menards where we have been selling pruning products into their stores since 2009 and now the chance of Trail Blazer providing Sears with Craftsman Garden tools. These conversations lead us to speaking about Jerry McDonald. Jerry works with Jim & brings distribution experience. Jerry will start gathering information of what is required to rent or purchase our first US location and share it with our operation manager, Robert Woodman.
All the Best, Shawn Levangie