Building Sam's Club: With Regular Folks Hardcover – March 11, 2026

This is the story of how Sam’s Club came to be. The author paints a vivid picture of what it was like, not only to work inside that company during its fledgling years, but also the early atmosphere surrounding Sam Walton’s exclusive members only version of a Price Club. What started as a test in a worn-out building in Midwest City, Oklahoma on April 7, 1983, grew to become a 90 billion dollar a year enterprise inside the largest revenue producing corporation in the world. In doing so it has become a part of the American fabric, much like its parent company, Walmart Inc.As an early member of the leadership team that got Sam’s Wholesale Club up and running, Russ Robertson shares the mostly unknown story in a thoughtful, down-to-earth, and honest yet respectful manner that will leave the reader feeling as if they too had been there back when the sign on the front of the building still read, Sam’s Wholesale Club.Whether you’re a student of American business, dedicated associate or former associate, a dyed-in-the wool Sam’s Club member or Walmart customer, you’ll learn some things about how both of these companies became what they are today. And according to the author, if you choose to read this book and after doing so feel it was a waste of your time, he’ll buy you an overpriced cup of coffee and a donut, providing you’re willing to come to Bentonville, Arkansas and share with him what it was you didn’t like about the book. Read more