Sam’s Club, the membership-only retail warehouse chain owned by Walmart, is eager to purchase Korean products across several categories, presenting a significant opportunity for small and medium-sized Korean companies looking to penetrate China’s consumer market. (Photo: a screenshot of Sam’s Club mobile app for Chinese users)
SEJONG, May 8 (Korea Bizwire) – Sam’s Club, the membership-only retail warehouse chain owned by Walmart, is eager to purchase Korean products across several categories, presenting a significant opportunity for small and medium-sized Korean companies looking to penetrate China’s consumer market.
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) revealed on May 7 a list of items that Sam’s Club hopes to import, aligning with the latest Chinese consumption trends.
Health foods and beverages topped Sam’s Club’s interests, as Chinese consumers increasingly seek low-salt, low-sugar, safe, and high-quality food products with a focus on wellness. Additionally, the rising number of single-person households has steadily driven up demand for convenient options like meal kits and frozen foods.
Eco-friendly cosmetics are also a priority for Sam’s Club’s import strategy. This demand stems from the scrutiny that the primary consumer group, those born in the 1990s, places on body-friendly ingredients in skincare products.
As the outdoor market, including camping, enters an early growth stage in China, KOTRA noted that Sam’s Club is also looking for unique and distinctive Korean products catering to this niche.
Beyond these categories, Sam’s Club has expressed interest in acquiring Korean fashion apparel, pet supplies, and household goods.
With over 40 stores concentrated in major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen, and a membership base exceeding 4 million, Sam’s Club offers a vast retail network. Once a Korean company secures a listing, its products can potentially reach Sam’s Club’s nationwide footprint, providing an opportunity for rapid export growth in the Chinese market.
KOTRA cited the example of a domestic small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) producing frozen dinners, which saw its exports to China surge by 1,800% year-on-year after successfully entering Sam’s Club in the first half of 2022 with KOTRA’s assistance.
Throughout 2024, from January to September, KOTRA is collaborating with Sam’s Club to host consultations for new product listings. Over 100 companies have applied to participate, and Sam’s Club’s procurement team will review the product lists before selecting firms for one-on-one consultations.
“Sam’s Club is actively purchasing high-quality yet reasonably priced consumer goods from our SMEs,” said Hwang Jae-won, head of KOTRA’s China Regional Headquarters. “Once listed at Sam’s Club, our SMEs can achieve large-scale sales across China, making it an extremely effective channel for tapping into the Chinese market.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
