China’s selective shoppers embrace members-only retailers like Walmart’s Sam’s Club
- Some bulk retailers on the mainland have carved out niche roles among shoppers, including bargain hunters from across the border in Hong Kong
While traditional brick-and-mortar supermarkets struggle amid the rise of e-commerce, Linda Wang from Shanghai still visits Sam’s Club, a membership-only bulk retailer owned by Walmart, the world’s largest retailer.
“Their selection feels more curated,” said Wang, a corporate executive who spends an average of more than 1,000 yuan (US$140) each time she shops for her family of four.
“Unlike traditional supermarkets, where there are just too many options, and you end up feeling overwhelmed by the choices, when you shop at Sam’s Club, you start developing this habit of trusting that they’ve already done the selection for you.
“They have their own brands, the ones with the Sam’s Club label. And you just trust that their private-label products are definitely of good quality and reasonably priced.”
As China’s retail landscape continues to evolve, membership-only bulk retailers such as Sam’s Club have emerged as key players catering to a growing middle class that values quality and exclusivity.
And locations on the mainland also appeal to Hong Kong residents looking for quality goods at bargain prices.
