Sheila Chalmers-Currin, village president of Matteson, IL recently welcomed the return of Sam’s Club to the village on January 17, 2019. The public will find a new type of service being provided by Sam’s Club at the Matteson facility.
The membership-only retail warehouse giant is typically open to customers, this location is not.
Sam’s Club presented to the public it’s second world class Distribution and E-commerce Fulfillment Center, in Matteson.
The mayor was joined by the Matteson village board, Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, local leaders and Sam’s Club representatives in a ribbon cutting ceremony during the grand opening.
In January 2018, the national corporation announced the closure of its Matteson retail store on Cicero Avenue. However, President Chalmers-Currin directed administrators to revisit the issue with Sam’s Club representatives in an effort to return the major corporation to Matteson. After numerous conference calls and onsite visits, the sides were able to reach an accord.
Kevin Thompson, director of Public Affairs at Sam’s Club, said, “Geographically the location is ideal for serving members throughout the Midwest.” When the facility is operating at full capacity, it will be pivotal in fulfilling 1-2 day shipping options in the region.
“It is no secret that Sam’s Club has been greatly missed. However, our mission has always been to not only sustain and attract new businesses, but to also recruit diverse models of economic development. Sam’s Club embraced our vision during re-negotiations,” says Chalmers Currin.
“The Village of Matteson was fantastic to work with in opening this Distribution and E-commerce Fulfillment Center,” said Thompson.
Chalmers-Currin adds, “In addition to our recent announcement of the $280 million redevelopment of Lincoln Mall to an all new mixed-use development, this Sam’s Distribution Center coincides perfectly with the new shopping trends of consumers. This is not only a home-run for Matteson, but the entire Southland region.”
The Distribution Center is Sam’s Club’s second such development. Earlier this year the company opened its very first Distribution Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
The development comes at a time of growth and investment in the company’s Omni-channel shopping experience. Recently the company announced free shipping on most items for its Plus members. In the first quarter of 2018, Sam’s Club witnessed an online sales increase of 25 percent in which they also saw a 5.2 percent comp sales increase (excluding fuel and tobacco).
Mayor Chalmers-Currin adds, “Though warehouse-based retailers such as Sam’s Club have a revenue stream fueled by member fees they also have to adjust to an environment in which customers now buy groceries, electronics and other products from a growing array of e-commerce stores. All of which makes this much anticipated Grand Opening of this Fulfillment Center a significant step forward.”
Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin adds, “Once again Matteson has proven that a community can flourish through diverse forms of economic development. Along with the announcement of the redevelopment of Lincoln Mall, this new ecommerce facility fits into Mayor Chalmers-Currin’s vision, maintaining a vibrant economic base for Matteson.”
