Sam’s Club is making a bold move against Costco by opening another location in California, specifically its 31st in the state and the eighth in Northern California. This new store is in Lathrop, just about 10 miles south of Stockton.
This opening marks the first Sam’s Club in San Joaquin County and, interestingly, places the chain right within Costco’s territory.
The new store covers nearly 170,000 square feet, located at 16150 Golden Valley Parkway. It held a soft opening for members on Wednesday and officially opened its doors for everyone on Thursday morning.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Club manager Ann Perry and Lathrop Mayor Paul Akinjo, approximately $35,000 in grants were given to local nonprofits such as Toys for Tots and the Boys & Girls Club of Manteca.
Customers can look forward to familiar bulk pantry and household essentials, along with a full-service floral department. Additionally, there are enhanced fresh sections, featuring fresh tortillas and daily sushi, plus convenient curbside pickup and delivery options within an hour.
The opening celebration includes a variety of samples, giveaways, and activities running through Saturday, September 26, including an appearance by food influencer Jack Mancuso on Friday afternoon.
To attract new shoppers, Sam’s Club is offering attractive membership discounts until September 30 at the Lathrop location and others in Sacramento and Concord. New members can join for $25 (a $35 savings on the regular annual fee) or opt for a Club Plus membership at $50, which represents a $70 discount off the usual price.
This competitive pricing strategy plays a significant role in Sam’s Camp’s expansion across California. Despite a 20% membership increase last May, Sam’s Club continues to offer lower membership fees compared to Costco. For context, a standard Sam’s Club membership costs $60 annually, whereas Club Plus is $120 per year. In contrast, Costco’s Gold Star membership is priced at $65 yearly, and the Executive membership costs $130.
Additionally, Sam’s Club has recently rolled out a new logo and slogan, “Come Join Us.” They’ve remodeled stores to include self-scan technology and outdoor cafés at certain locations, with this rebranding process commencing in October 2025.
Looking ahead, another Sam’s Club is in the works for Visalia, although an official opening date is yet to be announced.
