West Nashville Sam's Club Closes Abruptly

NASHVILLE, TN -- A Nashville's Sam's Club is one of dozens nationwide that is closing by the end of the month as parent company Walmart raises employee wages at its flagship stores and plans to convert some Sam's Clubs into e-commerce fulfillment centers.

The Sam's Club at 615 Old Hickory Boulevard was closed Thursday with a sign on the door indicating it would re-open Friday and a security guard telling NewsChannel 5 that the location would close for good by month's end.

News of the closings came after an announcement of a wage increase from parent company Walmart as the big-box giant raised its minimum wage to $11. A dozen of the Sam's Club locations will be converted to "eCommerce fulfillment centers in a move that will speed delivery of online orders, with the balance of the facilities closing over the next few weeks." The first converted Sam's Club will be in Memphis.

In a statement sent to Patch late Thursday, the company said the decision to close the stores was made after a thorough performance review.

"Transforming our business means managing our real estate portfolio and Walmart needs a strong fleet of Sam's Clubs that are fit for the future," said John Furner, president and CEO of Sam's Club. "We know this is difficult news for our associates and we are working to place as many of them as possible at nearby locations. Our focus today has been on those associates and their communities, and communicating with them."

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