Sam’s Club members have embraced the new Instant Savings program, according to Rosalind Brewer, President and CEO of Sam’s Club. During parent company Walmart’s second-quarter earnings call on Aug. 15, Brewer was excited about the Instant Savings program – which launched in the second quarter.
“Members received two Instant Savings Books during the quarter,” Brewer said during the earnings call. “Each book runs for about three weeks and includes special savings from our top suppliers beyond our normal member-only prices. We were pleased to see over half of the members who shopped during the events purchased at least one Instant Savings Book item.”
Brewer explained that the Instant Savings Book not only drove traffic to Sam’s Club stores, but also brought a broader awareness of the brand’s extensive merchandise offering available at samsclub.com.
“For example, during the first few days of the May event, we sold more of the office chairs online included in the ISB than we had year-to-date,” Brewer said. “We believe that the investment we’re making in price, both through core reductions and programs like Instant Savings, are key to sales growth, and this strategy will continue throughout the year.”
Brewer said Sam’s Club associates are “so energized by the changes taking place in our clubs and remain aligned on driving member value through price leadership, differentiated merchandise, and a compelling experience. We still have work to do, but I’m pleased to report that Q2 comp sales were within our guidance, and traffic improved. We are delivering solid membership income growth, and our recent membership enhancements, including the Instant Savings Book (ISB), continue to receive a favorable response.”
Brewer added that the Instant Savings program is a cornerstone of Sam’s Club membership. In fact, she said Sam’s Club Advantage members were renamed Savings members “because of our mission to deliver savings made simple for all of our members.”
Sam’s Club is a chain of membership-only retail warehouse clubs owned and operated by Walmart Stores. As of 2012,[update] Sam's Club chain serves 47 million U.S and Puerto Rican members and is the 8th largest U.S. retailer. Walmart doesn’t release individual financial data for Sam's Club, other than year-over-year performance. Sam's Club reported an 8.4% sales increase in 2012, 3.9% in 2011, -1.4% in 2010, and 4.9% in both 2009 and 2008.