Sam’s Club goes chainwide with curbside pickup

Sam’s Club plans to roll out curbside pickup service to all 597 of its warehouse clubs by the end of June.

The Walmart wholesale club chain said Thursday that the national launch of curbside pickup comes after a 16-store pilot drew a strong response from consumer and business-owner members.

Sam’s Club said it’s expediting the rollout amid changes in customer preferences, including a greater desire for convenient and contactless shopping options during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By using its own in-store shoppers, Sam’s Club curbside pickup answers a greater need for convenient and contactless shopping options during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sam’s Club members have been integrating technology into their shopping habits for a while with Scan & Go, samsclub.com and in-club pickup,” Chief Operating Officer Lance de la Rosa said in a statement. “As we continue to innovate to make the shopping experience better and faster for our members, we’re proud to be able to quickly implement and offer curbside pickup across the country, particularly during a time when they are searching for alternative ways to shop.” 

Products marked “Pick up in Club” are eligible for curbside pickup. The service works as follows: After setting up an account, members order groceries, household essentials and other items at samsclub.com or via the Sam’s Club mobile app. They then complete their online shopping list, choose a pickup time and club, and check out. Upon arrival, members park in a designated pickup spot, and a Sam’s Club associate brings out their order and loads it into their vehicle.

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Upon arrival, Sam's Club members park in a designated pickup spot, and an associate brings out their order and loads it into their vehicle.

Same-day delivery (except in Puerto Rico) is offered nationwide through Instacart, but Sam’s Club operates the curbside service as well as same-day in-club pickup, which is available at all locations. Curbside pickup is part of Plus membership benefits, which also includes early shopping hours, free shipping on most online items, and 2% cash back on qualifying in-club and pickup purchases.  

Plus members can schedule curbside pickup orders between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Sam’s Club said Non-Plus members can use the Plus curbside benefit free for a limited time, but pickup times will be limited and available 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“While free Curbside Pickup is a new Plus member benefit, we recognize all of our members are looking for contact-free shopping options as part of the current environment,” de la Rosa added. “Because of that, we are going to temporarily make the service available for every member and do what we can to help them get the products they need, when and how they want them.” 

Related:SamsClub.com CEO Jamie Iannone named Walmart U.S. eCommerce COO

Sam’s Club said that, until further notice, it also will continue to offer its concierge service to seniors and members at high risk for COVID-19 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and “hero hours” on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

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