Houston location transformed with expanded merchandise and services for business owners

Bentonville, Ark., August 20, 2008—Sam’s Club will open its first dedicated Business Center at 2827 Dunvale Road in Houston on August 27, 2008. The Sam’s Club Business Center, designed to be a full-service business supply warehouse, offers an expanded selection of over 2500 additional business-essential items to meet the needs of food service industry professionals, convenience store owners, vending operators, office administrators, florists and hotel/motel operators.

The Sam’s Club Business Center grand opening ceremony begins at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 27. Immediately following the ceremony, members and non-members are invited to attend a special Business Expo where business owners can take advantage of special grand opening values on over 300 items specifically chosen for this event. Also during the Business Expo, business owners will enjoy product demonstrations, sampling, speaking with suppliers and gaining advice from experts at the University of Houston Small Business Development Center on solutions to help small business owners thrive.

An exclusive tour for the news media is planned prior to the grand opening on Tuesday, August 26 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Local business and community leaders are invited to attend this special sneak preview. Grants will also be presented to local organizations.

“This is a Sam’s Club unlike any other, and we are excited to have it debut in Houston,” says Sam’s Club Business Center General Manager, Tony Puente. “We have a high percentage of Business Members at this location as well as many businesses in this market that we will be able to better serve by focusing our efforts on delivering business merchandise and solutions specific to the independent business owners’ needs. We are going to be able to offer our Members new products and an expanded assortment of solutions at a value they have come to expect from Sam’s Club.”

Business Members will still enjoy many of the same valuable services they have come to expect from Sam’s Club including Click-n-Pull/Fax-n-Pull as well as services from third party providers such as Merchant Credit Card Processing, Employee Health Insurance and Travel Services. The Sam’s Club Business Center will provide business delivery within 25 miles; delivery fees will apply. In addition, Business Members will discover lots of new services such as vending machine lease/purchase plans and specialty vending items. Members will also appreciate the values on document management services and mailbox rentals, free WI-FI, as well as a full-service Copy/Print/Ship Center on site.

The Sam’s Club Business Center also provides small business owners with some eco-friendly services including printer and copier ink refill service for most major brands and dry-pack floral, which is a unique product for restaurateurs, caterers and florists that reduces shipping weight and adds shelf life. Additional services and new items will be introduced throughout the inaugural year as the Sam’s Club Business Center rolls out new ways to stay current and meet Business Member needs.

Sam’s Club caters to both businesses and families nationwide in 594 locations. The Sam’s Club Business Center will remain accessible to consumer Advantage Members, in addition to Business Members, with their current membership cards. Annual business membership fees start at $35. Hours of operation are designed to be business-friendly – open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. For after hours shopping or to become a Member , visit www.samsclub.com/businesscenter.

About Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). The first Sam’s Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Oklahoma in 1983. Today, Sam’s Club serves Members with locations nationwide, and in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam’s Club offers exceptional values on merchandise and services for business owners and consumers. Online merchandise and club information is available at samsclub.com.

Sam’s Club Business Center Features

• Delivery
• Print/Copy/Digital Services Center
• Expanded Fax ‘ N Pull / Click ‘N Pull Services
• Mailbox rentals
• Free Wi-Fi

Restaurateurs/Caterers/Floral

• Walk-in coolers and freezers
• Food service Equipment
• Dry Pack Flowers for easier handling and longer shelf life

Vending Machine Services

• Selection of Vending Machines and purchase/lease programs
• Expanded assortment of vending items: snacks, beverages, and vending specialty items

Convenience Stores

• Walk-in Tobacco Cage with expanded selection
• Broad assortment of resale items – packaged for consumer customers
• New items in Health & Beauty, Beverages, Candy, Snacks and other key categories

Office Managers

• Full service print & copy
• Ink refills for most major brands
• Expanded Office Supply assortment
• Credit card processing
• Payroll check processing

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