Sam’s Club bringing back free samples

Sam’s Club is resuming its sampling program and adding events that take samples out of the club and into the parking lot. 
 
The warehouse club operator announced the return of its sampling and demo program, Taste & Tips, to its nearly 600 locations nationwide. The announcement comes about a week after Costco said it was beginning “a phased return” to full sampling in its locations. 
 
Officially re-launching this week, the Sam’s Club program allows shoppers to sample food and review products when they visit a Sam’s Club location. The sampling program, in place for 35 years but paused since last March due to the pandemic, will initially take place on the weekends and in limited quantities, using new safety measures, such as sealed samples, the company said.

Sam’s Club is expanding the program with “immersive” experiences, including its first-ever Member’s Mark Summer Eats Food Truck. The truck will tour the central United States this summer, giving members a chance to try popular items from the company’s private food brand, Member’s Mark.   
  
Additionally, Sam’s Club is testing new ways to sample items, such as roaming events that bring sampling directly to members as they checkout, visit the member services desk or at curbside pickup. 

“Over the past year, our members’ shopping behaviors have evolved,” said Megan Crozier, chief merchandising officer, Sam’s Club. “Today, more than ever, members want to do more than just shop when they come to our clubs – they want to have an experience. In addition to the return of Taste & Tips, we’ve planned new, immersive sampling experiences that add even more excitement to our clubs.”