Sam's Club continues its aggressive expansion in China! 2025 marks a record-breaking year for the retailer, which has shifted from its usual pace of opening 6-7 new stores annually to targeting 10 new locations.

Recent openings include the Beijing Changping store on November 21, the Yangzhou store on November 12, and stores in Zhangjiagang and Shenzhen Bao'an in October. The Zhongshan store debuted in September, while earlier this year, stores in Jiaxing, Hefei, and Wuhan Jiang'an also opened. December is expected to see launches in Guangzhou Liwan and Shanghai Pudong Dong.

Beyond new stores, Sam's Club has signed a deal for another location.

**1. Fourth County-Level Store: Jiangyin or Yiwu?** On November 14, Sam's Club officially signed for its Jiangyin store. Located south of the new Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, the Jiangyin outlet involves a total investment of ¥1 billion, covering 71 acres with a floor area of 65,540 square meters across three floors. It will feature 1,000–1,200 parking spaces, ranking among the largest in East China, and is slated to open in October 2026.

Jiangyin's strong economic performance likely influenced the decision. In 2024, its GDP surpassed ¥500 billion, making it China’s second county-level city to achieve this after Kunshan. Residents’ per capita disposable income reached ¥77,000, ranking third nationally and first in Jiangsu.

Sam's Club Kunshan opened in 2020, followed by Wuxi’s first store in 2022. Jiangsu remains a key market for Sam's Club, hosting 10 of its 61 China stores—second only to Guangdong’s 11.

However, whether Jiangyin or Yiwu will be the fourth county-level location is unclear. Earlier reports suggested Yiwu would follow Kunshan, Jinjiang, and Zhangjiagang, but insiders indicate a likely 2027 opening. If Jiangyin opens first, it will claim the fourth spot.

**2. 2026 Expansion Pipeline** Wal-Mart’s Q3 FY2026 earnings highlighted strong performance in China, with Sam's Club driving growth. Net sales in China rose 21.8% YoY to $6.1 billion (¥43.4 billion), while e-commerce surged 32%, now accounting for over 50% of sales. Sam's Club saw double-digit transaction growth, adding eight stores in the past year.

Unverified reports suggest Sam's Club China’s GMV exceeded ¥120 billion by mid-November, surpassing 2024’s full-year results.

Expansion continues, with recruitment underway for stores in Jinan, Qingdao, Wuxi Huishan, and Foshan Shunde. Additional locations in Foshan Chancheng, Dongguan Houjie, Tianjin, Beijing Fangshan, Beijing Tongzhou, and Zhengzhou are expected in 2026.

**3. Challenges Amid Rapid Growth** At Wal-Mart’s 2025 investor meeting, China CEO Zhu Xiaojing revealed eight Sam's Club stores now exceed $500 million (¥3.67 billion) in annual sales, attributing success to premium products, treasure-hunt shopping experiences, omnichannel convenience, and member trust.

However, recent controversies have eroded trust. In July, Sam's Club delisted high-value staples in favor of mass-market brands like Orion, Master Kong, and Weilong, sparking member backlash over perceived declining quality. Critics suggest cost-cutting measures prioritize margins over uniqueness, with 70–80% of suppliers now domestic.

Leadership changes added to concerns. Former Alibaba executive Liu Peng took over as Sam's Club China president, reporting directly to Zhu Xiaojing. Members criticized subsequent app redesigns for adopting a "Taobao-style" aesthetic, prompting official denials but lingering dissatisfaction.

As scrutiny intensifies, Liu Peng faces the challenge of sustaining growth while rebuilding member trust.