Associates work to find $270 million in savings for Small Businesses to lower their costs.
April 2, 2009— Sam’s Club is fighting for America’s small business owners and operators and beginning today, thousands of associates from all of its 600 clubs across the country are committing to visit 100,000 small businesses to help them identify ways they can lower their costs and succeed. The Sam’s Club Small Business Savings Drive is part of a campaign that culminates during National Small Business Week May 22. Associates are working for small business owners to find at least $270 million in savings by comparing the prices of similar business related products to items available at Sam’s Club.
“The success of small business is key to our nation’s economic recovery and we want to be part of the solution,” said Cindy Davis, executive vice president, Membership, Marketing and Ecommerce at Sam’s Club. “Pennies matter more than ever for today’s small business owner and helping them find as much or more than thousands of dollars in savings has a real impact and can mean keeping a new employee, expanding or financing a start-up.”
Last month, President Barack Obama outlined a small business recovery program that included tax, and spending provisions of more than $1 billion including $720 million for Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, such as new loan guarantees, which have declined 57 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to last, according to the SBA. Over the last decade, small businesses have generated 60 to 80 percent of the new jobs annually and employ about half of U.S. workers.
“The Sam's Club Small Business Savings Drive is a great example of the opportunity large companies and small businesses have to work together to spur economic development and job creation, at a time when so many small businesses are affected by the tough economy," said Aida Alvarez, former administrator of the Small Business Administration and board member of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Small business owners and operators as well as entrepreneurs starting a business can call 800-726-7258 to request help and arrange a visit from Sam’s Club associates locally. In addition, online at samsclub.com/smallbusiness there are examples of cost comparisons savings, related resources and tips from business owners.
Last year, during National Small Business Week, Sam’s Club conducted a pilot cost comparison program resulting in 5,300 invoice comparisons and identified more than $3.5 million in savings on products available in its clubs. Sam’s Club is guaranteeing it can help small business save and will refund any business membership at any time should it not be able to demonstrate savings to the satisfaction of the member. In addition, Sam’s Club is offering a complimentary one-day membership to any small business good through May 25, 2009.
During National Small Business Week May 18-22, Sam’s Club will work shoulder-to-shoulder with small business owners nationwide as part of an annual appreciation event for its business members that includes field associates, Home Office management and executive leaders.
Sam’s Club estimates more than 600,000 small business owners or their employees walk through its doors everyday. In addition to products, Sam’s Club also offers small business members access to affordable health insurance and other services such, as merchant credit card processing solutions and time-saving solutions including online ordering through Click n’ Pull.
About Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is a division of WalMart Stores, Inc., (NYSE:WMT). The first Sam’s Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam’s Club serves more than 47 million U.S. 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.
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