Walmart’s membership-only retail warehouse chain, Sam’s Club, has launched its largest Asia flagship store in Shanghai, ramping up competition against rival Costco. 

Spanning 70,000sqm, the store features with China’s largest single-story area retail warehouse space, a rental area for catering, shopping and entertainment, and 1100 parking spots. 

Located in Shanghai’s Waigaoqiao New Development Zone, which is part of the city’s Pilot Free Trade Zone, the new Sam’s Club flagship marks the brand’s third store in the city and 28th store in China. Sam’s Club Shanghai also offers one-hour delivery and fresh food delivery services within the city. 

Walmart opened its first Sam’s Club in China in 1996. In past years, the membership-only retail chain has recorded good results in the country, with an average of four new store openings annually and double-digit sales growth. 

The chain aims to increase its store number to between 40 and 45 by the end of next year, either operational or under construction. 

The plan for the giant Shanghai flagship was unveiled by the retailer last year.