The Arizona Republic

4 Arizona Sam’s to close

Clubs on hit list include Scottsdale, San Tan Plaza

- Ryan Santisteva­n Arizona Republic USA TODAY NETWORK

Sam’s Club stores in Casa Grande, San Tan Plaza in Chandler, Scottsdale and Prescott Valley will close as part of nationwide cuts by the big retailer.

Four Arizona Sam’s Club stores operated by Walmart are closing as part of a swath of closures around the country.

The local closures are in Casa Grande, San Tan Plaza in Chandler, Scottsdale and Prescott Valley, said Delia Garcia, Sam’s Club spokeswoma­n.

A dozen other Sam’s Clubs around the state will remain open, she said.

Affected employees were informed of the closures Thursday morning and the stores were closed. The stores will reopen with regular hours on Friday and remain open through Jan. 25, Garcia said.

“It’s a difficult decision but this is a business decision we’ve made,” Garcia said. “We are actively managing the portfolio and assessing all our Sam’s Club locations. This is a necessary step to maintain a healthy business.”

News of the closures comes on the same day Walmart announced it will raise the minimum hourly wage for its U.S. employees to $11 and give bonuses of up to $1,000, crediting the recently approved federal tax cuts.

USA Today reported that Sam’s Club is shutting down or converting 63 stores total. Of the 63, 50 will be permanentl­y shutting down. Roughly 10 of those close immediatel­y, while the rest will have three to four weeks to shut down.

Garcia said the focus for Sam’s Club is to help employees through the transition period. Options include transfers to other facilities in the state.

“If a transfer opportunit­y isn’t possible, then associates who are eligible will receive a severance,” she said.

She said associates will receive compensati­on for 60 days starting today.

Garcia said members can request membership refunds or shop at other stores or samsclub.com.

“If someone goes to the Chandler club and they don’t really shop at another Sam’s Club and they are not interested in shopping at samsclub.com, they can always go in and ask for a refund for their membership,” she said.

The Sam’s Club at Chandler Pavilions will remain open.

Chandler resident Chelle Daly said when the Arizona Avenue location opened up, she was so excited.

“It was a life saver at the time,” Daly said. “So hard to imagine they won’t be there anymore.”

Justin Erickson said he wished the other location at Chandler Pavilions would close instead. He owns Guedo’s Taco Shop in Gilbert and has turned to the San Tan location to purchase items for the restaurant.

He said he has family in Casa Grande and now they will have to drive to Phoenix to buy their groceries.

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