US retail giant Walmart plans opening more Sam’s Club in China to tap into the growing affluent market.

Walmart will open seven new Sam’s Club stores in addition to the 10 currently operating across the nation.

Sam’s Club, which opened its first club in China in 1996, acts like a purchasing agent for its members. It offers famous-brand merchandise for both business and personal use.

“While people say retail is detail, clubs are also discipline models,” said Andrew Miles, senior VP and COO of Sam’s Club in China.

“We are disciplined, focused, low-cost operation,” he said.

To become a member at Sam’s Club, a shopper needs to pay an annual fee of 150 yuan (US$24.23).

Products are carefully selected for the members, hence, there are fewer items at Sam’s Club stores compared to supermarkets.

In China, where affluent consumers seek more quality and exclusivity in their purchases, Sam’s Club is a successful model, says Miles.