Sam's Club(R) Simplifies Small Business Membership Offering

Home-Based and Micro-Entrepreneurs Get Greater Access To Savings and Services

BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sam's Club is making it
easier for small businesses to lower their costs by simplifying the
requirements for its Business Membership by eliminating more than a dozen
required documents including permits and licenses formerly needed to join.
Under the new guidelines, small business owners can obtain a Sam's Club
business membership simply by providing a current business card, letterhead or
other documents they may use to promote or manage their business.

"Sam's Club has always been an inclusive club and we're making it easier than
ever for small businesses to benefit from the value and convenience we have to
offer," said Catherine Corley, vice president, Small Business Insights, Sam's
Club. "We believe our new guidelines will particularly appeal to those with
home-based businesses, independent direct sales professionals and women- and
minority-owned small businesses." Corely announced the changes at the Small
Business Administration's Annual Champion Awards Luncheon in Washington, D.C.
which also celebrates National Small Business Week.

U.S. women-owned small businesses continue to grow faster than all other
groups despite the challenging economy. From 2002 to 2008, majority
women-owned businesses grew at a rate of 11 percent versus majority men-owned
firms at 9 percent, according to the Center for Women's Business Research.
According to the Kauffman Foundation, Americans aged 55 to 64 form small
businesses at the highest rate of any age group -- 28% higher than the adult
average and Americans 45 to 54 years of age also form small businesses at an
above average rate.

"These membership simplifications are especially helpful to service-based
businesses which comprise 56 percent of all women-owned firms," said Gwen
Martin, Interim Executive Director & Director of Research, Center for Women's
Business Research.

Beyond high quality items at exceptional values, office supplies and
electronics needed to run a business, Sam's Club Business Members also enjoy
exclusive Gold Key(TM) hours from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 9
a.m. on Saturday. Time saving-services include Click n' Pull, a web-based
order ahead program, and Sam's Club requires no contracts or minimum orders
for small businesses. Sam's Club also provides a free cost comparison to
Business Members so they can be certain they are getting the best possible
price and identify how they could be saving more. In addition, samsclub.com
offers an expanded product assortment available 24 hours per day, seven days
per week.

Sam's Club has launched a resource center at samsclub.com/smallbusiness for
owners and operators to request a cost comparison on Sam's Club products
versus other providers. Year to date, Sam's Club estimates it has identified
more than $233 million in savings for Small Business and since the launch of
its Small Business Savings Drive last month, Sam's Club associates have
contacted more than 80,000 small businesses to help them identify ways they
could be saving. Small Business owners can download a one-day membership pass
at samsclub.com/small business. The pass is available through May 25, 2009 and
allows guests the chance to make a purchase without paying the standard 10
percent non-member service fee.

In addition to products for resale at convenience stores or restaurants and
items needed to run a small business or office, Sam's Club also offers
services including low cost health insurance for small business owners and
their employees. Annual fees for a Sam's Club Business Membership start at $35
and small businesses seeking tax exempt status are still required to produce
current federal and state tax exempt documentation.

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, 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, or 1-800-331-0085,
susan.koehler@samsclub.com