Three Indiana Sam’s Club Stores to Close

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Walmart (NYSE: WMT) has detailed plans to close three Sam’s Club stores in Indiana, a move that will affect nearly 420 workers. The announcement of the closures, which include two stores in Indianapolis and one in Goshen, comes on the same day the company announced plans to increase the starting wage for hourly employees and expand certain benefits.

In separate notices to the state, Walmart says all three stores will close to the public on January 28. The company says all hourly employees will be let go March 16 and management employees will be terminated April 13.

The stores facing closure include:

• 3015 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis (152 employees)
• 10859 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis (157 employees)
• 4024 Elkhart Road, Suite 1, Goshen (110 employees)

In an email to Inside INdiana Business, Sam’s Club says 63 stores throughout the country are being shuttered. Up to 12 of them will be converted into eCommerce fulfillment centers. Only one location for these fulfillment centers, Memphis, Tennessee, has been unveiled.

"Transforming our business means managing our real estate portfolio and Walmart needs a strong fleet of Sam’s Clubs that are fit for the future," said John Furner, chief executive officer of Sam’s Club. "We know this is difficult news for our associates and we are working to place as many of them as possible at nearby locations. Our focus today has been on those associates and their communities, and communicating with them."

The company announced Thursday it would increase its starting hourly wage to $11, expand maternity and parental leave benefits and provide a one-time cash bonus for eligible employees of up to $1,000. The move comes in response to the passing of the tax reform bill by Congress last month.

Walmart says the employees affected by Thursday’s announcement of the closures will receive the bonus, 60 days of pay and severance for those who are eligible.