SAN ANTONIO – Sam’s Club is closing 63 stores nationwide, including the store at San Pedro Avenue near Bitters Road on the city's North Side, spokeswoman Anne Hatfield said.
In some cases, employees weren’t notified of the closure. They discovered their store was closed when they showed up to work and the door was locked, according to Business Insider.
Sam’s Club officials responded to a tweet calling out the retailer for closing the doors on employees, saying, "After a thorough review of our existing portfolio, we’ve decided to close a series of clubs and better align our locations with our strategy. Closing clubs is never easy and we’re committed to working with impacted members and associates through this transition.”
After a thorough review of our existing portfolio, we’ve decided to close a series of clubs and better align our locations with our strategy. Closing clubs is never easy and we’re committed to working with impacted members and associates through this transition.
— Sam's Club (@SamsClub) January 11, 2018
Hatfield said that strong online sales was one reason for the closures.
"Sam's is strong. Online is growing," Hatfield said. "we want to to make sure we have the right mix of both."
Ten of the shuttered stores will be become e-commerce fulfillment centers, Hatfield said.
The San Antonio store scheduled for closure will reopen Friday, with inventory marked down 25 percent.
About 150 employees will have an opportunity to transfer to another store and will be given 60 days pay.
Customers will be allowed to pickup prescriptions until Jan. 26, the final day the store will be open.
The closures announcement comes the same day that Walmart announced its raising the minimum wage to $11 an hour for Walmart and Sam's Club employees.