When shopping at Sam’s Club, one of the biggest draws for members is the private label brand known as Member’s Mark. But have you ever wondered who actually makes these products? I decided to take a deep-dive look at the manufacturers behind Member’s Mark products, how much you can save by opting for them, and whether or not they offer the same quality as their branded counterparts.

First of All, What Is “Member’s Mark”?

Member’s Mark is Sam’s Club’s private label, created to offer high-quality products at a fraction of the cost of national name brands.

Sam’s Club, owned by Walmart, uses Member’s Mark as a way to compete with brands by offering products that are just as good—if not better—than those from big names, but at a lower price.

It’s basically what Kirkland is to Costco, if that helps.

Member’s Mark spans across numerous categories, including:

– Groceries (frozen foods, snacks, beverages, fresh produce)

– Clothing (casual wear, activewear)

– Health & Beauty (vitamins, supplements, beauty products)

– Household Products (cleaning supplies, paper products)

– Furniture & Home Decor (bedding, kitchen appliances, furniture)

– Electronics

The Name-Brands That Make Member’s Mark Products

While Sam’s Club doesn’t disclose exactly who manufactures their Member’s Mark products, it’s well known that many BIG name brands make products specifically for Sam’s.

Here are some of the key categories and their manufacturers:

Bottled Water

– Manufacturer: Niagara Bottling

– Details: After some sleuthing, I found an Amazon review of the Member’s Mark bottled water that proved to be my smoking gun that it was indeed made by Niagara. A gal ordered a case and discovered that it’s simply purified tap water. Turns out a bottling plant run by Niagara (in Richmond, VA) purifies it, adds some stuff for taste, then labels and packages it for Member’s Mark.

Coffee

– Manufacturer: Keurig Green Mountain, Westrock Coffee Roasting, and Treehouse Foods.

– Details: Member’s Mark ground coffee is made by Treehouse and Westrock. Their K-cups are made by Green Mountain and Treehouse.

PRO TIP: CALL SAM’S CLUB AND ASK

If there’s a specific Member’s Mark product that you want to know who the manufacturer is, call Sam’s at (888) 746-7726 and there’s a great chance they can get you the information. Perhaps you’ve had an issue with one of their products, or maybe you’re like me, and just curious. Be proactive, call the number, and they should be able to tell you the company that makes it.

Batteries

– Manufacturer: Energizer

– Details: Energizer makes all Maker’s Mark household batteries including AAA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt. A few years ago a Sam’s shopper actually saw an Energizer rep setting up the battery display, they started up a conversation and he confirmed that Energizer indeed makes them and repackages them for Sam’s Club.

Jeans

– Manufacturer: Wrangler

– Details: I thought this one was funny, when you do a Google search for “Member’s Mark jeans” one of the first results is for Amazon. Then when you click on it, it actually goes to their Wrangler jeans page.

PRO TIP: DON’T SLEEP ON THE MEMBER’S MARK STRAIGHT FIT JEANS

For $14.98, these jeans at Sam’s Club are a great deal. I have a pair and they are the most comfortable jeans I own. Way better fit than my Levi 501, American Eagle straight fit, and a pair of expensive J.Crew jeans that I own. Plenty of room in the crotch, the stretch fit makes them very comfortable in the legs, especially the thigh area. If you like Wrangler jeans, you’ll LOVE these jeans.

Dog Food

– Manufacturer: Purina and Mid America Pet Food

– Details: Purina might make some of their dog food, but Mid America definitely makes most of it. Their tops brands include Eagle Mountain and Victor Premium.

Macarons

– Manufacturer: Sublime Desserts

– Details: Back in 2022, Sam’s had to do a recall right before Christmas on their Macarons. In the FDA filing, it listed the high end dessert maker, Sublime Desserts, out of Saint-Laurent, Canada, as the manufacturer.

Disinfecting Wipes

– Manufacturer: Rockline Industries

– Details: Many believe that Member’s Mark disinfecting wipes are made by Clorox, but they are NOT, they’re made by Rockline Industries. A reviewer on the Sam’s website actually called Sam’s and got the phone number for the manufacturer. (see pic above) When you call the number, it goes directly to Rockline and they verified the information for me.

Many say the product’s texture, packaging, and effectiveness closely resemble Clorox-branded wipes. Looking at the reviews for these, many folks actually like them better than Clorox, citing their thickness and odor as the main reasons.

Peanut Butter (Natural No-Stir Creamy)

– Manufacturer: ConAgra (Peter Pan)

– Details: Many customers suspect that the Member’s Mark peanut butter is produced by ConAgra, the same company behind Peter Pan peanut butter.

Cheese

– Manufacturer: Sargento

– Details: Member’s Mark shredded and sliced cheeses are often thought to be produced by Sargento, offering quality comparable to this well-known dairy brand.

Ice Cream

– Manufacturer: Wells Enterprises (Blue Bunny)

– Details: Wells Enterprises, which produces Blue Bunny ice cream, is believed to supply Member’s Mark ice cream products, known for their rich and creamy textures.

Mayonnaise

– Manufacturer: Hellmann’s/Best Foods

– Details: Member’s Mark mayonnaise is often compared in taste and quality to Hellmann’s/Best Foods, leading to speculation that they share the same manufacturer.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HELLMANN’S AND BEST FOOD

There is no difference, they’re identical. If you live east of the Mississippi, you know it as Hellmann’s. If you live west of the Mississippi, you know it as Best Foods.

Dish Detergent

– Manufacturer: Reckitt Benckiser (Finish)

– Details: Member’s Mark dishwasher pods and detergents are likely produced by Reckitt Benckiser, the same company that manufactures Finish dishwasher products.

Trash Bags

– Manufacturer: Glad

– Details: Member’s Mark trash bags are thought to be manufactured by Glad, which produces well-known trash bags, providing durability and strength at a lower price. A commentor on the Sam’s website agrees as he said they “fold the same” and “unfold the same” leading him to believe that they’re manufactured in the same plant as Glad.

Olive Oil

– Manufacturer: Deoleo (Bertolli)

– Details: Deoleo, the company behind Bertolli olive oil, is believed to manufacture Member’s Mark olive oil, offering a high-quality product at a lower price point.

Frozen Foods, Snacks, and Beverages

– Manufacturer: ConAgra Foods

– Details: ConAgra, known for brands like Hunt’s and Healthy Choice, is believed to make various Member’s Mark frozen foods and snacks.

Meat Products (Chicken, Beef, etc.)

– Manufacturer: Tyson Foods

– Details: Tyson, a leading producer of meat products, is thought to supply Member’s Mark meat items such as frozen chicken and beef.

Baked Goods (Bread, Pastries, etc.)

– Manufacturer: Sara Lee

– Details: Sara Lee is likely the manufacturer behind Member’s Mark bread and other baked goods.

Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, and Napkins

– Manufacturer: Georgia-Pacific and Proctor & Gamble

– Details: Georgia-Pacific, which produces Brawny and Quilted Northern, is thought to manufacture these paper products for Sam’s Club.

Diapers

– Manufacturer: Pampers

– Details: Pretty solid chance these are made by Pampers as parents compare them very equally. And they should know as they’re the ones out in the trenches cleaning up dirty diapers many times a day.

Baby Formula

– Manufacturer: Perrigo

– Details: For years, Mommy bloggers have been writing sponsored posts about the baby formula at Sam’s Club and they have to stipulate who makes it. And guess what? – it’s always Perrigo.

Over-the-Counter Medications and Vitamins

– Manufacturer: Perrigo

– Details: Perrigo, a major producer of over-the-counter drugs, is believed to make Member’s Mark vitamins and supplements.

Skincare and Beauty Products

– Manufacturer: Unilever

– Details: Unilever, the company behind brands like Dove, is thought to manufacture Member’s Mark skincare items.

Cleaning Products (Bleach, Household Cleaners)

– Manufacturer: Clorox and Reckitt Benckiser

– Details: The Clorox Company, which produces Clorox bleach and Pine-Sol, may also manufacture some of the Member’s Mark cleaning products. Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of Lysol and Finish, is likely behind Member’s Mark cleaning supplies.

Potential Savings When Buying Member’s Mark

One of the main reasons shoppers choose Member’s Mark over name brands is the significant cost savings.

Across all product categories, the savings can range from 10% to 50%, depending on the item. Here’s a breakdown of the average savings by category:

• Groceries: Savings of 15-25% on products like frozen foods, snacks, and beverages.
• Paper Products: Savings of 10-25% on items like paper towels and toilet paper.
• Baby Products: Savings of 15-30% on diapers, wipes, and baby formula.
• Health & Beauty: Savings of 20-40% on vitamins, supplements, and skincare products.
• Household Products: Savings of 10-25% on cleaning supplies, detergents, and paper products.
• Furniture & Home Goods: Savings of 20-40% on larger home goods, such as mattresses, bedding, and kitchen appliances.

These savings can really add up, especially when you consider that many of these items are bought in bulk.

For example, buying a bulk pack of Member’s Mark paper towels could save you 20% compared to the name-brand equivalent, which can add up to significant yearly savings on household essentials.

Quality of Member’s Mark Products vs. Name Brands

One of the biggest concerns shoppers have when choosing private label products is whether they’re getting the same quality as name brands.

However, many Member’s Mark products are made by the same manufacturers that produce name-brand goods, so the quality is often identical—or sometimes even better.

For example, Member’s Mark vitamins are made to the same specifications as national brands, and many of the household products, such as cleaning supplies, are manufactured by industry leaders.

In blind taste tests, Member’s Mark food items, often score just as high as name-brand products, if not higher.

Why You Should Consider Switching to Member’s Mark

If you’re a frequent Sam’s Club shopper, switching to Member’s Mark products can lead to significant savings over time.

By choosing Member’s Mark for everyday items like groceries, cleaning supplies, and health products, you can stretch your budget without sacrificing quality.

Here are some reasons why you should consider switching to Member’s Mark:

Substantial Savings: As mentioned, the cost savings can range from 10% to 50% depending on the product category. Over the course of a year, these savings can really add up, especially for items you purchase regularly.

High Quality: Many Member’s Mark products are manufactured by the same companies that produce goods for national brands. You’re essentially getting the same product but at a lower price.

Bulk Buying Benefits: Since Sam’s Club is a warehouse store, you can purchase many of these products in bulk, which helps drive the price per unit even lower.

Positive Customer Reviews: Many Sam’s Club members rave about the quality and value of Member’s Mark products. From the tasty food options to the durable household goods, shoppers consistently report being pleased with their purchases.

Ask the Reader: What Member’s Mark products did I miss and what’s the associated name brand? Let me know in the comments and I’ll research it, thanks.

By Kyle James