Pearland Sam's Club Nears Opening Day

PEARLAND, Texas, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Brazoria County will welcome its first Sam's Club this week at 15800 S. Freeway in Pearland, bringing approximately 200 new jobs to the Texas Gulf Coast region. Conveniently located off State Highway 288 at Discovery Bay Drive in the Shadow Creek Ranch development in Pearland, the club is expected to draw members from Pearland, Manvel, Lake Jackson, Angleton, Alvin, and more throughout the region. Members can experience extraordinary savings and services at Sam's Club Pearland when doors open immediately following the 8 a.m. grand opening ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 27.

"For 12 years people in Pearland have been asking me when our city was going to get a Sam's Club," said Pearland Mayor Tom Reid. "This is the type of shopping our citizens have been asking for. I'm sure this Sam's Club is happy to be here, and we're happy to have them. It's a perfect alliance."

Products and Design Customized to Brazoria County
Sam's Club has always taken pride in customizing its clubs to their individual communities and members' needs. The new Pearland Sam's Club will offer a vast selection of items for shoppers seeking quality, selection and value.

Houston Texans fans will immediately notice the bold electronics department featuring the biggest and best in high-definition televisions, sound systems and entertainment. Busy moms will find everything they need to prepare dinner and the perfect lunchbox, while working families will find an expansive array of home meal solutions, packaged prepared meals made fresh at Sam's Club every day. And those who love to cook will find an expansive array of everyday needs including fresh produce, quality meats and seafood.

The club will also provide students and faculty members from the University of Houston and Rice University, among others, with values across the sales floor -- from printer ink packs to furniture and snacks to stock their dorm rooms, apartments, offices and homes. 

Club Manager Randy Yarborough says other areas of the club with a large focus will be tires and automotive, jewelry, fresh flowers, books and baby items. The club is also focused on finding out what products local restaurants and businesses may need so they can supply those items. Early shopping hours, personal shopping through Click 'n' Pull®, truck load savings, and access to quality items are just some of the benefits offered to small business owners, foodservice businesses,restaurant owners and caterers.

Club to Employ 200 Associates
The Pearland Sam's Club will employ approximately 200 associates, both full and part-time.

"I am so proud of our associates for their hard work and commitment to this club," said Yarborough. "They are excited to show off this club and are committed to providing the best customer service in the area."

Yarborough began his Sam's Club career 28 years ago as a cart pusher at the Houston club located at the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Gulf Freeway. Prior to being named a club manager, he spent time as an assistant manager and co-manager at various Sam's Clubs in the metropolitan area. He has managed the Houston club on East Freeway, as well as the Stafford and Alvin clubs. He was named manager of the Pearland club in May. He is a graduate of South Houston High School and is a lifelong Houston resident.

"I am living proof of how a job at Sam's Club can change your life," said Yarborough. "I went from pushing carts to leading this beautiful club. I want to be an inspiration for my associates that hard work will pay off."

With the opening of the Pearland Sam's Club, Walmart Stores Inc., will surpass 150,000 associates employed in the state of Texas.

Pearland Sam's Club to Donate $25,000 to Local Charities
Sam's Club has a longstanding commitment to give back to the communities it serves, and the new Pearland club is no different. Associates from the local club have selected several local organizations to each receive $2,500 grants from the Walmart Foundation. Recipients include the Adult Reading Center, Brazoria County Fair Association, Forgotten Angels, Keep Pearland Beautiful, Northern Brazoria County Education Alliance, Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo, Pearland Fire Department, Ronald McDonald House of Houston, Young Entrepreneurs Academy and Glenda Dawson High School. 

The Pearland Sam's Club will also help fight hunger in the area by making regular product donations to the Houston Food Bank, founded in 1982 and a certified member of Feeding America. The Houston Food Bank feeds 137,000 people each week, and last year distributed 50 million meals. As part of a nationwide collaboration between Sam's Club and Feeding America, Sam's Club donated more than 39 million meals in 2010 to Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief charity.

Health and Wellness Offerings
Due to the proximity to the Texas Medical Center, the club is also putting a major focus on its pharmacy and health and wellness areas. The Sam's Club pharmacy, open to members and the public, features $4 and $10 generic prescriptions and savings on branded prescriptions.

The new club will also have a Sam's Club Hearing Aid Center, offering premium technology in hearing aid and personal listening devices alongside the care of a certified audiologist.

Sam's Club also offers an optical department and free monthly health screenings to help members take charge of their health through preventative measures. Free health screenings for blood pressure, BMI and other health indicators will be offered on grand opening day, Thursday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and on Sept. 27-28, 10 a.m. – 4p.m.

Fuel Station Allows for More Savings
With gas prices on the rise, another perk of the Pearland location is the addition of a Sam's Club fuel station. The station will have 12 pumps, including diesel fuel. The fuel station is located adjacent to the club and will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Members can save as much as five cents per gallon of gas at Sam's Clubs gas stations. The Pearland fuel station will be open to Sam's Club members only.

Grand Opening Event
The grand opening ceremony will take place at 8 a.m., Sept. 27. Numerous local dignitaries, including Pearland Mayor Tom Reid and members of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce will be in attendance, along with 200 Sam's Club associates. For opening weekend, Sam's Club will be offering special membership savings.  

About Sam's Club
Sam's Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is the nation's eighth largest retailer and a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products and services to more than 47 million members in clubs across the U.S., as well as in Brazil, China and Mexico. Members save an average of 34 percent over traditional retailers. To learn more about Savings Made Simple^®, visit SamsClub.com, and look for Sam's Club on Twitter, Facebook and on mobile and iPad® apps. 

SOURCE Sam's Club