BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam’s Club announced a significant milestone in its clean-label initiative this week, revealing that 96% of its Member’s Mark food and beverage products now comply with its “Made Without” standards — a list of more than 40 ingredients the company has committed to removing, including artificial colors, aspartame, and high-fructose corn syrup.
The initiative, launched to align with evolving consumer preferences, reflects the warehouse retailer’s broader effort to provide products made with simpler, more recognizable ingredients. The company expects full compliance across its private-label food and beverage portfolio by the end of the year.
“We take pride in the high-quality ingredients that go into our products, but what truly differentiates us are the ingredients we consciously leave out,” said Julie Barber, chief merchant at Sam’s Club. “Our ‘Made Without’ commitment underscores our aspiration to be members’ go-to destination for quality at a disruptive value.”
The transformation has been guided by input from the Member’s Mark Community — a network of Sam’s Club shoppers who provide feedback on product development. According to internal survey data, 72% of members are seeking minimally processed foods, and 90% report either living or aspiring to live a healthier lifestyle. These insights have influenced not only product formulations but also packaging and sourcing practices.
The clean-label effort has proven to be more than a wellness gesture — it has become a brand differentiator. Member’s Mark, Sam’s Club’s private-label brand, has resonated strongly with Millennial and Gen Z shoppers, particularly through first-to-market, better-for-you products such as its Star Cutout Cookies and Organic Fruit Twists, both free from artificial additives.
One standout success has been the expansion of fresh, in-club sushi — made without any “Made Without” list ingredients and crafted daily by trained sushi chefs. Now available in 581 clubs, Member’s Mark sushi will roll out nationwide by September, with new regionally inspired varieties such as Spicy Tuna Mango and Korean BBQ Chicken Spring Rolls. These offerings are also available for same-day delivery, tapping into Sam’s Club’s expanding e-commerce capabilities.
With Member’s Mark already playing a central role in Sam’s Club’s value proposition, the retailer is now considering extending the “Made Without” framework beyond food, into categories such as household essentials, health, and baby products.
The initiative comes at a time when private-label growth is outpacing national brands across the retail sector, driven by a combination of economic pressures and a growing consumer preference for high-quality store-brand alternatives.
By leaning into health-driven innovation and member-centric development, Sam’s Club is positioning its Member’s Mark brand not just as a value play, but as a trusted source of quality and transparency — and raising competitive expectations across the retail industry.
