Walmart’s Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Zhu WenqianFebruary 17, 2026 at 05:30 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Sam's Club, owned by Walmart, is expanding in China while other foreign retailers are scaling back. The US warehouse retailer has found success by localizing its offerings to appeal to Chinese consumers. This includes introducing China-tailored products like ginseng and adjusting packaging sizes to better suit smaller households. Sam's Club has also focused on quality and instant delivery, catering to the demands of middle-class shoppers. According to a researcher at Su Merchants Bank, the retailer's localization strategy has created a competitive advantage. The success comes as many other foreign retailers have struggled to maintain operations in mainland China.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nanjing 40% Su Merchants Bank 40% Kunshan 40% Jiangsu province ×250% Fu Yifu 60% United States ×260% Walmart 70% Sam's Club ×690% China ×490%

Keywords

sam's club 100% china market 90% localisation 80% chinese consumers 70% retail 60% middle-class 50% walmart 50% consumer preferences 40% quality consumption 40%