Wal-Mart Debuts Club Store for Hispanics

HOUSTON — Wal-Mart Stores last week opened its first Más Club here, a Hispanic-oriented club store that is described as a cross between as Sam's Club and a warehouse-style bodega.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the Mas Club includes a tortilleria, a selection of Mexican-style pastries and other ethnic offerings, including a butcher shop. The store's signs are in Spanish, with English translations.

It offers a more limited selection of appliances and electronics than a typical Sam's, and includes a health clinic and a money-transfer offering, the Journal reports. The yearly membership fee is $30, vs. $40 at Sam's. It also offers products by the pallet for wholesale to small businesses.

"There is an opportunity for Sam's Club to expand its membership base through Más Club," Kenny Folk, Sam's Club senior vice president of new business development, was quoted as saying. "We expect Más Club to evolve as we get to know our members better. They will help us decide how fast and how far this format goes."

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