If you’re someone who shops at Costco or Target, you might want to keep an eye on what Walmart is doing. The retail giant is taking major steps to grab your attention — and your dollars — with a bold new strategy based in Florida. Walmart just opened a massive 1 million-square-foot distribution center in Jacksonville. The move is designed to speed up deliveries to Sam’s Club locations in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and even Puerto Rico.
What’s the big deal? Faster delivery means better stocked shelves, quicker turnarounds for online orders, and potentially lower prices — and that could give Walmart a big edge over its competitors.
Sam’s Club is Growing Fast — and Getting Smarter
This new distribution center isn’t just a warehouse. It’s the heart of a larger effort by Walmart to power up its Sam’s Club brand, which already has nearly 600 stores nationwide. The center will receive and sort imported goods, then route them to four regional Sam’s Club hubs. Its close proximity to the Port of Jacksonville means Walmart can move goods quickly from ship to shelf.
Sam’s Club CEO Chris Nicholas has big plans. He’s aiming to double membership numbers within the next 8–10 years. And based on current trends, that might actually happen. Memberships are at an all-time high, and millennials and Gen Z now make up more than half of new sign-ups. With revenue up 22% in recent years, Sam’s Club is quickly becoming a serious competitor to Costco and Target.
More Jobs and Faster Shopping for Millions
The Jacksonville facility also brings something many Americans care deeply about — jobs. The new center has already created 250 positions, and with plans to open 30 more Sam’s Club locations by 2025, even more opportunities are on the horizon. Frank Herrera, general manager of the Jacksonville site, said, “Every position offers a path to opportunity at Walmart and Sam’s Club.”
This means more than just local employment. The overall goal is to improve service nationwide. Whether you’re picking up bulk groceries or ordering a last-minute item online, Walmart wants to make sure your experience is faster and smoother than ever before.
Walmart’s Balancing Act: Efficiency Meets Employee Support
But there’s a flip side. To stay competitive and efficient, Walmart is also adjusting employee work hours — many floor and checkout workers now have shorter shifts, between 6 and 6.5 hours, especially during evenings. To soften the impact, the company is offering voluntary overtime and performance bonuses, aiming to keep workers motivated and customers happy.
The Retail Race Is Heating Up
Walmart isn’t just responding to economic pressures like tariffs from China — it’s reinventing how it serves you. With its new Florida strategy, faster deliveries, and big growth plans, Walmart could be shifting the balance of retail power. And if Costco and Target don’t respond quickly, you might find yourself shopping more often — and more efficiently — at Sam’s Club.
