As Sam's Club opens more locations, it is trying to raise the bar for its own brand, Member's Mark. Net sales for Sam's Club totaled $86.2 billion in its most recent fiscal year, compared with $176.63 billion for Costco's U.S. clubs. Sam's Club CEO Chris Nicholas told CNBC the brand's revamp was inspired, in part, by the retailer's chief rival. Overtaking Costco and its beloved private label won't be easy for Sam's Club, said Michael Baker, a retail analyst for D.A. But he added Costco's success with Kirkland Signature created a formula that Sam's Club can follow.

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Persons: Megan Crozier, Crozier, —, kickstart, Mark, Chris Nicholas, Kirkland, Member's Mark, Michael Baker, Davidson Organizations: Sam's Club, Walmart, Costco, Kirkland, Sam's, Costco's U.S, CNBC, D.A