Shop Talk

Wal-Mart is betting $10 and 10 weeks will draw new members to its Sam’s Club warehouses.

Sam’s Club and Costco work as membership clubs. Shoppers pay an annual fee that allows them to shop in the warehouses and get discounts on everything from diamond rings and big screen TVs, to bulk-sized packages of toilet paper or bottled water.

In the past year, the clubs have become popular with consumers and small businesses looking for ways to stretch their budgets as prices rise and paychecks shrink. But in this environment, cash-strapped customers may find the upfront fee a deterrent to joining the clubs if they are not already members.

Sam’s offers a variety of memberships, including a $40 one for individuals and a $35 membership for business customers that allows them to shop during special “business only” hours.

Sam’s Club has talked about wanting to improve its membership base, and in its latest push, it is now offering a $10 membership good for 10 weeks to families and businesses that are not currently members.

“With a temporary 10 week membership we’ll be able to give those who sign up a good chance to see what we can do for them everyday, and through the holidays,” said Mike Turner, vice president of membership at Sam’s Club, in a statement.

In July, Sam’s Club offered a special deal to attract college students. With a valid college identification card and college email address, students were able to buy a year-long membership for $40 and receive a $15 gift card.

(Photo: Reuters)