Sam’s Club is stepping up its game in cyberspace. Thursday, Sam’s opened an eCommerce Fulfillment Center on Getwell Road near I-240.
That’s where a former Sam’s Club used to be, which closed in January.
The fulfillment center is the first in the nation, intended to help Sam’s and parent company Walmart compete with Amazon and others. Sam’s Fulfillment Center will offer free shipping on most orders along with 1 and 2-day deliveries to your door.
“It’s really to celebrate the success we’ve had to this point,” said Charles Dodge, General Manager of Sam’s eCommerce Fulfillment Center.
Sam’s Club is upping its game online, giving customers a chance to buy their products without ever leaving home.
“It’s picking, packing, shipping to your door,” said Dodge.
Sam’s reps say their strategy is to beef up online sales. Converting the building into a fulfillment center took less than four months, and the first package shipped in 46 days. Improvements are still underway.
“We’re the model, the test. So, we’re finding our way through it a little bit,” Dodge said.
During the grand opening of Sam’s Fulfillment Center, Sam’s reps donated $1,000 each to the Memphis Police and Fire Departments, and a $1,000 to YWCA Abused Women’s Services.
“Supporting the local communities and the things that they do to make Memphis better,” Dodge said.
Sam’s Club will ship orders via FedEx and it’s considering opening locations in other cities across the country.
The Getwell Center employs 50 full-time employees.
