Sam's Club(R) Adds Roses to Fair Trade Certified(TM) Products

'Green' Roses Ready to Bloom at samsclub.com

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Romantics and fresh
flower fans can now give or decorate with "green" roses that have been Fair
Trade Certified(TM) and are available online at samsclub.com. While the
classic rose colors are available, including red and pink for love, white for
virtue and yellow for friendship, these roses are grown with special gratitude
and love because farm employees benefit from Fair Trade standards that put
proceeds back into (local/their) schools, medical services and housing.
"Sam's Club is a significant partner in our effort to expand the
availability of Fair Trade Certified flowers to American consumers," explained
Paul Rice, CEO of TransFair USA, the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade
products in the United States.
Unlike many flowers that may be delivered through a distribution center,
Fair Trade Certified flowers ship directly from the farm. Direct shipping
reduces stress on the flowers and reduces the number of miles each order
travels, giving the roses more "vase" time.
"We are pleased to bring Fair Trade Certified Roses to our Members as a
new tradition for their celebrations and we are confident the quality and
value will add to the experience of giving or receiving a bouquet," said Scott
Williams, Vice President of samsclub.com. "This complements our existing
online and in-Club floral products as well as our sustainability efforts."
Sam's Club Fair Trade Certified roses are provided by InBloom Group, a
Miami-based company that represents Fair Trade rose farms in Ecuador. "On top
of wages, we give back 12 percent of our costs to an employee fund that our
workers may use for education, medical care, housing or other needs. Earning
the Fair Trade premium has turned our employees into partners, and growing
roses into an act of love for all of us," explains Alina Alvarez Alzugaray,
InBloom Group CEO.
Consumers and florists may purchase one dozen Fair Trade Certified(TM)
roses at samsclub.com for $64.44 for premium red and $60.72 for all other
colors, which includes shipping. Prices may vary within a $5 range based on
seasonal variations. Valentine's Day orders for Sam's Club Fair Trade
Certified roses must be made on or before February 9 for February 14 delivery
and are limited to the continental United States. *A Sam's Club Membership is
required to purchase online; annual Membership fees start at $35 for
businesses and $40 for individuals.
Sam's Club carries Fair Trade Certified coffee both in-Club and online
under its own private label Member's Mark(R) and also offers Fair Trade
Certified Member's Mark Black Tea by Bigelow(R).
Fair Trade Certified
Flower Requirements

-- Reduced water and energy use

-- Protected watersheds and wildlife habitats

-- 13 weeks paid maternity leave for women workers

-- Childcare and schooling for children

-- Protective gear and training for staff

-- Between 8-12% of flower costs invested by supplier into farm community
development fund

-- Training for development projects

Source: TransFair USA
http://www.fairtradecertified.org

About Sam's Club
Sam's Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE: WMT). The first
Sam's Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam's Club
serves more than 47 million U.S. Members with locations nationwide, and in
Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam's Club offers exceptional
values on merchandise and services for business owners and consumers. Online
merchandise and Club information is available at samsclub.com.
SOURCE Sam's Club

Susan Koehler of Sam's Club, +1-479-277-8066, Susan.Koehler@samsclub.com; or
Kathy Roeder, +1-212-217-6106, kathyroeder@gmail.com