Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent decline in quality and safety standards at Sam's Club, which has led to a significant loss of consumer trust and a shift in the perception of its brand value among middle-class consumers [3][30]. Group 1: Safety Issues - Sam's Club has faced serious quality control issues, particularly concerning children's safety and food safety, which have become major concerns for consumers [5][11]. - Recent reports revealed that a batch of 64 FILA scooters sold at Sam's Club was found to have safety hazards, with 61 already sold, posing a choking risk to children [6][9]. - Additionally, a consumer reported finding a foreign object resembling a tooth in a cake purchased from Sam's Club, raising serious food safety concerns [11][13]. Group 2: Quality Degradation - Sam's Club, once known for its "strict selection" image, has experienced a trust crisis due to a shift in its product selection strategy, replacing high-quality items with more common brands [18][22]. - The quality of Sam's own brand products has also reportedly declined, with a specific organic soybean product's quality level dropping from 1 to 3, while the price remained unchanged [24][30]. - The company's acknowledgment of quality issues without corrective actions has further alienated consumers [26][30]. Group 3: Performance vs. Quality Control - Despite the quality control issues, Sam's Club has reported significant sales growth, with a 30.1% year-on-year increase in net sales for Walmart China, indicating a disconnect between performance and quality [28][29]. - The rapid expansion of Sam's Club in China, with plans to reach 60 stores by the end of 2025, highlights the tension between scaling operations and maintaining quality standards [29][30]. Group 4: Loss of Membership Prestige - The membership fee of 260 or 680 yuan has become less of a status symbol for middle-class consumers, as the perceived value of the membership diminishes due to quality concerns [32][38]. - The shift in consumer behavior reflects a broader change in the middle-class consumption mindset, moving from paying for status to paying for genuine value [38][39]. - The new leadership at Sam's Club is focusing on cost-cutting and efficiency, which may further exacerbate the quality issues and consumer trust crisis [36][37].

Core Points - A 500-gram pure gold "Golden Hairy Crab" product sold at the Zhangjiagang Sam's Club is accused of infringement, drawing significant attention [1] - Designer Wu Wensheng claims that his two-year effort in creating a similar product has been copied without his consent, using his likeness and credentials for commercial endorsement [1] - The product was recently launched at the newly opened Zhangjiagang Sam's Club, which is the fourth Sam's Club in Suzhou and the third in a county-level city [2] Group 1 - The Zhangjiagang Sam's Club has acknowledged the issue and stated that all supplier materials have been submitted to the market supervision administration [2] - The "Golden Hairy Crab" product has been taken off the shelves to avoid potential disputes while legal assessments are ongoing [2] - The product weighs 509 grams and is priced at over 500,000 yuan based on current gold market prices [2] Group 2 - Wu Wensheng has publicly condemned the infringement and has reported the matter to the police [2] - Sam's Club has faced multiple controversies this year, including penalties for selling substandard products [2][3] - Sam's Club contributes nearly two-thirds of Walmart China's performance, with 280 Walmart stores and 54 Sam's Club locations as of July 31 this year [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a controversy involving a product sold at the Zhangjiagang Sam's Club, which allegedly infringes on the design of a gold "hairy crab" created by designer Wu Wensheng, raising significant public attention [1][4]. Group 1: Product Infringement Allegations - Wu Wensheng, a jewelry designer and representative of intangible cultural heritage, claims that his two-year effort in designing a gold "hairy crab" has been copied and is being sold at the newly opened Zhangjiagang Sam's Club [1]. - The product in question weighs 509 grams and is priced at over 500,000 yuan, based on current gold market prices [4]. - The Sam's Club has acknowledged the issue and stated that the product has been taken off the shelves while legal assessments are ongoing [4]. Group 2: Sam's Club Background and Recent Issues - The Zhangjiagang Sam's Club opened on October 20, marking the fourth location in Suzhou and the third in a county-level city [4]. - Sam's Club has faced multiple controversies this year, including selling defective products and a recent incident where a customer found a tooth in a cake purchased from the store [5]. - Sam's Club contributes nearly two-thirds of Walmart China's performance, with a total of 280 Walmart stores and 54 Sam's Club locations as of July 31 this year [5].

Core Viewpoint - Sam's Club (Shanghai) faced administrative penalties due to quality issues with two children's products, raising concerns about its product safety standards and brand reputation in the market [1][4]. Group 1: Administrative Penalties - On September 26, 2025, the Shanghai Qingpu District Market Supervision Administration issued penalties against Sam's Club for selling products that did not meet national safety standards, including a fine of 616,900 yuan and confiscation of illegal gains totaling 261,690 yuan [2]. - The first incident involved a FILA scooter that failed safety tests, with 61 out of 64 units sold, totaling a value of 12,338 yuan [1][4]. - The second incident involved a Lenzing Tencel children's bedding set, which had colorfastness issues, leading to the sale of 12 out of 98 units, with a total value of 22,530.2 yuan [3][4]. Group 2: Brand Reputation and Consumer Trust - The penalties contrast sharply with Sam's Club's established image as a "high-quality membership supermarket," raising questions about its quality control systems [4][5]. - The company has over 9 million paid members in China, generating significant revenue, which increases consumer expectations for product quality and safety [4][5]. - Recent quality control issues, including food safety concerns, have eroded consumer trust and brand reputation, highlighting the pressures on Sam's supply chain and internal management processes [6][7].