A talented and fun group of food bloggers joined me at this Sam’s Club bloggers event. From Left to Right: Lori from Recipe Girl, Peabody from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody, Amanda from Amanda’s Cookin’, me, Ann Marie aka This Mama Cooks, Maria from Two Peas and Their Pod, and Estela from Weekly Bite.
I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days last week at the Sam’s Club headquarters in Bentonville, AR. I’m going to preface this post by saying I am not a Sam’s Club member currently. The Sam’s Club visit was an enjoyable and eye opening experience. There are several things I did not know that surprised me and impressed me. I know that many of my readers choose to shop at other warehouse stores over Sam’s Club. I thought I’d share with you the enlightening things I learned while I was on my trip that have quite possibly changed my mind about where my membership loyalty will go next time I have to renew. Here is my list of the Top 10 Things You Should Know About Sam’s Club:
1. Sam’s Club has worked hard to enhance their image, including the look and feel of their stores. Wider aisles, more organized departments, and an overall clean, bright feel makes Sam’s Club feel less like a warehouse and more like an enjoyable shopping experience.
2. Sam’s Club is thinking more like the home cook. Buying in bulk now has new meaning because Sam’s Club is changing the way they package many of their items. You’ll find large packages with individual packages inside instead of just one large package that will go bad or spoil by the time you get through it!
3. Shopping is made easier with more organized shelves, signage and labels. Tone’s spices, for example, are now organized alphabetically with a large label indicating what the spice is. No more hunting and searching for the right spice. You can now walk right up and get what you need without a bunch of hunting around. Seems like a no-brainer doesn’t it? I know that many of you can relate to going to your local grocery store and searching and searching for the right spice! Having them alphabetized makes shopping a cinch.
4. Did you know that Sam’s Club puts every food product that is on their shelves through a blind taste test at their corporate headquarters? If it doesn’t get a 7.5 or higher out of 9, it doesn’t get sold at Sam’s Club. They take what goes onto their shelves very seriously and are extremely particular about quality and value alike. Read this article, The Taste of Science Behind Sam’s Club, to get a great view of how seriously Sam’s Club takes what is put on their shelves.
Maria, Lori, Amanda and Michelle show off just a few of the delicious cakes that will be available at Sam’s Club for the holidays.
5. Gorgeous holiday cakes and cheesecakes for an unbelievable low price…delicious. Need I say more? (Plus, when you see me at BlogHer food and I’m 15 pounds heavier, I’m blaming it on Sam’s Club and all the delicious food we were forced to eat.)
6. The focus on cost savings for the customer goes all the way down to the Sam’s Club corporate employees. They are all in charge of cleaning their own cubicles and emptying out their own trash cans which means they spend less money on cleaning services to do the job.
7. My biggest “a-ha” moment came at the produce section of the Sam’s Club we visited. Gorgeous, fresh, bountiful, delicious produce. Sam’s Club is very picky about what growers they work with and really work hard with the farmer’s to ensure that only the best quality produce is on the shelves at a great price for their consumers. Seeing and tasting their produce was enough to get me thinking about making the switch over to Sam’s Club!
8. I know it is too early to think about the holidays, however, once you do get in the mood to decorate, head to Sam’s Club. They have an amazing assortment of beautiful home and table decorations at unbelievable prices!
9. Did you know that Sam’s Club now has a large assortment of artisan cheeses and artisan breads? They travel the world to find the best cheeses for their members, working directly with the producers. Oh, and don’t get me started on the Irish Butter that I tried. I’ve never tasted a butter like it… yummmm!
10. Finally, if you are like me and have some pre-conceived notions or past impressions of Sam’s Club, I would highly encourage you to give them another chance. They have, in my opinion, come leaps and bounds and are worthy of you taking another look!
A special thanks to Sam’s Club for their hospitality. Sam’s Club provided meals (and by meals, I mean seriously… I gained 15 pounds), transportation and lodging for the trip. I was not paid for my opinion. What is stated in this post are my own impressions.
We had such a fun time! I’ve been eating lighter and exercising this week… I think I’ve successfully burned those extra calories already 🙂 See you soon at BlogHer Food!
It was so wonderful to meet you and all the other bloggers! I have so much fun!
I think I’m finally feeling hungry again after all that food 😉
Hope to see you soon 🙂
Looks like you all had fun. Plus You got to hang out with Peabody, Lori, Maria, and Michelle. I just was with Michelle and Baking with Betty and have met Maria. I also love Peabody and Lori’s site. Also good to know all those things about Sam’s!
Great recap post! We had such a fun time. I agree, I learned a lot about Sam’s Club. I was impressed…and FULL! 🙂
I just heard the Sam’s in my area is one of the first re-do’s of the interior nationwide. I’ve been so curious and now even more so! Fun trip!
Oh Bridget you must go! We have the new layout in our area and it ROCKS! I was already a Sam’s Club member, but so many things were brought to light on this trip. I asked why consumers weren’t made aware via advertising, and that’s all part of keeping prices low to the members. Love it! Love this post Kristen, it was SOOO fun meeting everyone!
thanks for sharing! i might actually have to give them a go! My Costco membership is up and i need to renew it so maybe i’ll have a look at sam’s instead!
I have been a Sam’s Club member for years…I am happy with the staples I pick up AND never know what surprises might be in store for me on a trip there…I do serious damage there when I shop in all areas of the store!
Great post!
Great info! Thanks so much for sharing! Sounds like you had an awesome trip!
~Liz
I’ve been a Sam’s Club member for at least ten years…maybe more. I shop there about once a month to do my big “stock-up.” Their meats can’t be beat by anyone and the produce is always beautiful. I’m so happy to hear that they are starting to use more family-friendly packaging, too! Thanks for a great inside look at Sam’s, Kristen!
I wish I had one that was close to me – I loved going there and miss it!
A great inside look at Sam’s Club. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been inside that place, so it’s good to get a foodie’s inside pov on the business.
Great write up. I really learned a lot on that trip, and though a Sam’s Club member already, I came away even more impressed with them.
Got a new line called World Table. Not to shabby. Healthier take on snacks. Cheers!
I haven’t been to Sam’s Club since I was a kid and went with my mom. So I’m thinking I should give it another try? This kind of information is invaluable; thanks so much for helping us become more informed and give our families the best we can.
Been a Sam’s Club member for years but didn’t know so many of the interesting details of their business! Thanks for sharing looks like a great time!
The only thing I dislike about Sam’s is how much I do find there… and how much of my checkbook they see! Just kidding, they’re great!
I love being a business member which allows me to shop before everyone else!
I want one of those cakes. Can we have a cake party just because?
I think so.
It shall be.
Kristen, you have really inspired us to check our localSam’s Club.I have never been there, but girl you have done a great pitch to get us to check it out. The photos of you gals are adorable. The gals holding the cakes are too cute! Your photos are eye catching, clean, bright & inviting 🙂 xo
What an awesome post! We actually have a membership at Sam’s Club AND Costco. This from the woman who originally swore she wouldn’t ever PAY to go into a store!! Sam’s Club is cheaper than Costco. Plus, they tend not to change items as frequently. I can depend that something will still be there the next time I shop, I don’t get that from Costco. Unfortunately, Costco has a more convenient location and there are certainly things that I like which is why I keep it. Thanks!
I LOVE Sam’s! In fact, my best friend and I go to Sam’s when we have a (rare) day off at the same time.
Sam’s is my friend!
I love Sam’s Club – and those cakes look great!
I haven’t been to Sam’s in years…maybe it’s time to revisit.
Great recap! It really was a lot of fun and it was great meeting you all!