How Close Are Americans to Walmart and Sam’s Club? The 10-Mile Advantage | Apex

When it comes to scale and accessibility, few retailers rival Walmart and Sam’s Club. These two retail giants have built an unmatched physical footprint that directly supports their omnichannel strategies, from traditional in-store shopping to curbside pickup and same-day delivery.

90% of Americans Live Within 10 Miles of a Walmart or Sam’s Club

According to Walmart and McKinsey research, an astonishing 90% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart or Sam’s Club location. With a national population of about 335 million people, that means more than 300 million Americans are just a short drive away from one of these stores.

This geographic advantage has positioned Walmart and Sam’s Club as leaders in convenience, particularly in the growing world of online pickup and delivery (OPD). By leveraging their dense store network, Walmart can serve as both a retailer and a logistics hub—ensuring faster fulfillment and a seamless shopper experience.

Why Proximity Matters

1. Consumer Convenience
   For families juggling busy schedules, proximity makes Walmart and Sam’s Club the go-to choice for weekly groceries, household essentials, and last-minute needs. The shorter the drive, the stronger the loyalty.
2. Omnichannel Power
   Pickup and delivery options are only as effective as the store network behind them. With most Americans living within 10 miles, Walmart and Sam’s Club can offer reliable same-day fulfillment that pure e-commerce players struggle to match.
3. Competitive Advantage
   This footprint creates a built-in moat against competitors. While online retailers rely on warehouses and shipping networks, Walmart and Sam’s Club use their stores as fulfillment centers—often cutting delivery windows from days to hours.
4. Community Impact
   Beyond sales, Walmart and Sam’s Club stores serve as community anchors. Their accessibility means more localized employment opportunities, regional supplier support, and stronger connections with everyday shoppers.

What This Means for CPG Brands

For consumer packaged goods companies, this coverage is more than just impressive—it’s a call to action. With nearly all Americans living within Walmart and Sam’s Club’s orbit, placement on these shelves isn’t optional; it’s essential.

To win in this space, CPG brands must:

• Ensure rich, optimized product content for online pickup and delivery.
• Prioritize retailer-specific marketing strategies that maximize digital shelf presence.
• Align with Walmart and Sam’s Club’s focus on value, convenience, and sustainability.

Final Takeaway

Accessibility is Walmart and Sam’s Club’s superpower. By being within 10 miles of 9 out of 10 Americans, they are uniquely positioned to meet evolving shopper expectations. For CPG brands, this represents an unparalleled opportunity: get the right product, with the right content, into the right shopper’s cart—whether that cart is physical or digital.

At Apex Marketing and Sales, we help brands navigate this landscape, ensuring they not only get onto Walmart and Sam’s Club’s shelves, but also stay in baskets week after week.