Sam's Club to Test Business Club Concept

Fayetteville, Ark. Wal-Mart's Sam's Club will test a concept that focuses solely on its small-business customers.

The concept, called Sam's Club Business Center, will focus on bulk items such as office supplies and food needed by restaurants, convenience stores, offices and other enterprises. It will debut in July, in Houston.

The store will not carry apparel, certain consumer items and recreational merchandise.

"This building will help teach us something," said Doug McMillon, chief executive of Sam's Club, as he addressed a media gathering Thursday in advance of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s annual shareholder's meeting on Friday.

McMillon said "if we like the financials" then the company will convert Sam's Clubs to the new concept in certain locations that cater heavily to small-business owners.