These Sam's Club items basically make a membership pay for itself. We did the math.
Business Insider
February 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Sam's Club, a Walmart-owned warehouse store, offers significant savings on bulk items that can potentially offset its $50 annual membership fee. A detailed analysis compared the prices of essential household goods at Sam's Club with those at traditional retailers. The study found that several items, such as diapers, pet food, and coffee beans, provided substantial savings, often covering the membership fee multiple times over within a year. For example, buying diapers exclusively at Sam's Club could offset the fee more than five times, while pet food savings covered the fee four times. These findings highlight the value of Sam's Club memberships for consumers looking to maximize savings on frequently purchased items.
The analysis focused on shelf-stable, regularly consumed products like baby formula, bacon, and cleaning supplies. By calculating a "payback score," researchers determined how many purchases were needed to offset the membership fee. Diapers ranked highest with a payback score of 599, meaning the savings from diaper purchases alone would exceed the fee by nearly six times. Other items, such as coffee beans and baby formula, also showed strong returns, further reinforcing Sam's Club's appeal for budget-conscious shoppers.
This comparison underscores the growing trend toward value-conscious shopping, particularly during economic challenges. While the analysis assumes minimal additional spending at Sam's Club, the savings on key essentials make it a worthwhile investment for many households. The study highlights how warehouse clubs like Sam's Club and Costco cater to consumers seeking significant savings through bulk purchases, making them a competitive option in today's retail landscape. For those focused on stretching their dollars, Sam's Club emerges as a viable choice for accessing discounted goods that frequently outperform traditional retailers.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/15/2026