cost of a sam's membership
And Sam's Club is not a cheapest-of-the-cheap outlet. You need a membership to shop there, a privilege that comes with a $45 yearly membership fee. That's cheaper than Costco's $55 a year, but it's still an expense. If it's true that Sam's Club is relying on customers who need food assistance, Landes said, then it's not clear if they have the right merchandise for that consumer.