Sam's Club announced on Wednesday that it will raise its annual membership fees by $10, with the change taking effect on May 1. Under the new pricing schedule, the retailer will charge $60 per year for a basic club membership and $120 per year for its higher-tier membership.
Prior to the increase, Sam's Club charged $50 and $110 for its basic and Plus memberships, respectively. The company last adjusted its annual membership pricing in October 2022.
In a corporate statement, Sam's Club said the pricing update is intended to support customer-facing investments. The retailer listed enhancements it plans to back with the additional revenue - including its product assortment, expanded operating hours, and improvements to curbside pickup and delivery services.
Even with the increase, Sam's Club's fees will remain below those charged by rival Costco, which currently sets its basic annual membership at $65 and its higher-tier option at $130. Costco implemented its own fee increase in 2024. Sam's Club's revised fees will be in line with BJ's Wholesale Club, whose current pricing is $60 for basic membership and $120 for the higher-tier plan.
Sam's Club reported U.S. net sales growth of approximately 3.1% to $93 billion for the last fiscal year. The retailer also highlighted strong digital momentum in the holiday quarter, reporting a 23% year-over-year increase in e-commerce sales. In the same period, overall store and website visits rose and transactions climbed 5.3% compared with the prior year.
The company does not disclose the total number of members, but stated that membership counts reached a record high in the three-month period that ended Jan. 31.
Key financial and operational metrics cited by Sam's Club - including net sales, e-commerce growth, and transaction trends - were presented alongside the membership price change. The company characterized the fee adjustment as a means to sustain improvements in shopping experience and service capabilities.