Sam’s makes $4 generics available to all

LINDEN, N.J. —Sam’s opened one of its latest generation warehouse clubs in Linden, N.J., a location that puts it in a densely populated suburb just outside of New York’s borough of Staten Island. The club is the first in New Jersey’s Union County and plugs a 30-mile coverage gap in the Garden State between units in Secaucus and East Brunswick.

The 137,000-square-foot club is part of the latest generation prototype that Sam’s has been rolling out. The Linden debut was one of five Sam’s launches in January, the others being in Auburn, Ala.; Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Gilbert, Ariz.; and Las Vegas.

Mohamed Khan, a Sam’s market manager, said some of the features that the retailer has been adding in recent years should play well in Linden, including such ancillary services as optical, an expanded electronics section, updated produce operation and an expansive pharmacy and healthcare department. Kahn pointed out that nonmembers “can come in and take advantage of our $4 prescriptions.” Although only members can purchase OTC drugs and health and beauty care products, Sam’s wanted to extend its pharmacy services to the entire community, Kahn said.

Fresh food represents about 30 percent of the Linden store, Kahn said. Fresh food takes more space in newer Sam’s Clubs and has a higher profile. Kahn said much of the bigger look is attributable to merchandising, including the addition of open-face vertical cooler units for fruits and vegetables that require refrigeration.