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Club

''Club'' is an English word with multiple meanings. It may refer to:
  • An association of people for social, recreational, political, or other purposes, such as a [[social club]], [[sports club]], or professional organization (see [[#Social and organizational uses|Social and organizational uses]]).
  • A type of [[nightclub]] or venue for entertainment and nightlife (see [[#Entertainment and media uses|Entertainment and media uses]]).
  • A [[club (weapon)|blunt weapon]] or a [[golf club]] used in sport (see [[#Physical objects and tools|Physical objects and tools]]).
  • The [[suit of clubs]] in playing cards or a [[club sandwich|sandwich]] and [[club soda|carbonated beverage]] (see [[#Culinary uses|Culinary uses]]).
  • A [[club set]] in mathematics or the [[clubsuit|clubs suit symbol]] (see [[#Mathematical uses|Mathematical uses]]).
  • Commercial entities like [[Club Med]] resorts or [[Sam's Club]] stores (see [[#Commercial and brand uses|Commercial and brand uses]]).
  • Other specialized uses, such as a [[club good]] in economics or a structure in [[club (anatomy)|anatomy]] (see [[#Scientific and other uses|Scientific and other uses]]).
The and organizational sense of "club" originated in 17th-century , where groups met in taverns for shared interests, evolving from informal gatherings to formal associations. In the United States, clubs became prominent in the as hubs for networking and influence.

Social and organizational uses

Social club

A is a formed by individuals who join together to pursue shared interests, such as discussion, hobbies, , or networking, typically involving membership fees, regular meetings, and organized activities for and mutual support. These groups emphasize non-competitive bonding and , distinguishing them from more structured organizations focused on professional or athletic pursuits. The origins of social clubs trace back to 17th- and 18th-century , particularly in , where coffeehouses in served as informal gathering spots for intellectuals, merchants, and politicians to debate ideas and socialize, evolving into more formalized private members' clubs by the early . A prominent example is the in , established in 1836 to support political reformers advocating for expanded voting rights under the Great Reform Act of 1832, providing a dedicated space for dining, libraries, and discourse among members. Social clubs encompass various types tailored to participants' preferences. Country clubs offer recreational amenities like dining halls, gardens, and social events, often in suburban or rural settings to foster and networking among members. Service clubs, such as —founded in 1905 by attorney Paul P. Harris in to promote ethical business practices and community service—focus on humanitarian efforts, including local projects and global initiatives like polio eradication. Hobby clubs, exemplified by book clubs, bring people together periodically to discuss , share insights, and build friendships around reading. In the , clubs have adapted to advancements, particularly after , with the rise of platforms enabling gatherings for remote members, such as Discord-based groups or Zoom-hosted discussion circles that maintain connections amid global disruptions like the . This evolution has also spurred growth in inclusive clubs catering to marginalized groups, providing safe spaces for underrepresented communities to network and support one another, reflecting broader societal shifts toward and .

Sports club

A is an of individuals formed to promote and facilitate participation in athletic activities, such as soccer, , or , typically through organized training, competitions, and events. These clubs often field teams at various levels, ranging from local amateur groups to squads that compete in national and leagues, while cultivating dedicated bases that support their activities. The historical development of sports clubs traces back to the , when formalized athletic associations emerged to standardize rules and organize competitions. In , the was established in 1863 to govern the sport of , laying the groundwork for the creation of numerous clubs that followed its codified rules. This led to the founding of prominent clubs like United in 1878, originally as Newton Heath L&YR Football Club by railway workers, which evolved into one of the world's most successful professional teams. Sports clubs are structured as either or entities, with amateur clubs emphasizing community involvement and non-paid participation, often run by volunteers, while professional clubs employ full-time athletes, coaches, and staff to compete at elite levels. Governance occurs through international bodies like , which oversees 211 member associations worldwide as of 2025, indirectly regulating thousands of affiliated clubs via national federations. Many clubs also feature organized fan supporter groups, such as , which are passionate collectives that enhance match atmospheres through choreography, chants, and displays, though they can sometimes face scrutiny for occasional unruly behavior. Economically, sports clubs generate primarily from ticket sales, , merchandise, and sponsorships, enabling them to sustain operations and in talent. For instance, Real Madrid reported revenues of €1.073 billion for the 2023-24 season, excluding player transfers, marking a 27% increase from the prior year and highlighting the financial scale of top-tier clubs. Recent trends indicate a surge in clubs, driven by increased and visibility, with female participation in organized sports showing substantial growth—such as a 4.5 times faster expansion in compared to men's from 2022 to 2024, reflecting broader rises in involvement since 2020.

Entertainment and media uses

Nightclub

A is an entertainment venue licensed for the sale and supply of , typically operating late into the night or early morning, where patrons engage in dancing, socializing, and listening to music performed by disc jockeys (DJs) or live acts. These establishments emerged in the United States during the era (1920–1933), evolving from illegal speakeasies—hidden bars that served covertly and often featured music and dancing to evade . After the repeal of with the 21st Amendment in 1933, many speakeasies transitioned into legitimate, licensed , establishing the modern model of controlled nightlife venues. The post-World War II period marked a significant boom in nightclub culture, particularly in urban centers like , where venues began emphasizing themed music and extravagant atmospheres. A pivotal example is , which operated from 1977 to 1980 and became an iconic nightclub, attracting celebrities and influencing global by blending high fashion, inclusive partying, and theatrical performances that redefined club exclusivity and spectacle. This era's innovations spread internationally, contributing to the proliferation of nightclubs; by 2025, thousands operate across , though the sector has faced declines in some regions due to economic pressures and regulatory changes, with the alone reporting 787 venues in 2024, down from 1,700 in 2013. Key operational features of nightclubs include cover charges—an entry fee collected at the door to manage crowds and fund entertainment, often ranging from $5 to $20 depending on the event—and themed nights that attract specific demographics, such as events featuring guest DJs or retro revivals. Safety regulations have evolved to prioritize patron protection, with the UK's mandating conditions for preventing crime, ensuring public safety, and protecting children from harm; post-2010 updates, including the 2010 mandatory licensing conditions order, introduced stricter age verification and measures to promote responsible service amid rising concerns over and overcrowding in the . Nightclubs have profoundly shaped popular music genres, serving as incubators for disco in the 1970s, house music emerging from Chicago's underground scenes in the 1980s, and rave culture in the late 1980s and 1990s, where electronic beats fostered communal, euphoric experiences often tied to countercultural movements. Economically, the global nightclub industry generated approximately $25.4 billion in revenue in 2024, reflecting its role as a vibrant sector within broader nightlife markets despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, adaptations to digital platforms have led to hybrid virtual nightclubs, exemplified by the Clubhouse app, launched in March 2020 and peaking in popularity in 2021 with over 10 million weekly active users engaging in live audio "rooms" that mimic in-person socializing and music discussions.

Club in arts and media

In various artistic expressions, the concept of a "club" often represents exclusive social circles, underground communities, or spaces for rebellion and camaraderie, serving as a for human connection, hierarchy, and cultural shifts. This theme permeates film, literature, music, television, video games, and emerging digital media, where clubs symbolize both escape and confrontation with societal norms. One seminal example in cinema is (1999), directed by and adapted from Chuck Palahniuk's 1996 novel of the same name. The film follows an insomniac office worker who forms an underground fight club with a charismatic soap salesman, critiquing , toxic , and alienation in modern society through escalating acts of . Its cult status stems from its raw exploration of male identity crises and anti-establishment violence, influencing subsequent media on subversive groups. In literature, Würger's The Club (2017) centers on an elite, all-male dining society at Cambridge University, where a young German protagonist infiltrates the group to expose its rituals of privilege and moral ambiguity. The story examines themes of , exclusivity, and ethical compromise within insular academic clubs, drawing from real traditions at universities. Würger's narrative highlights the seductive yet corrosive power of such secretive enclaves, blending elements with . Music has long drawn from club culture, with subgenres evolving from the 1970s disco era, which originated in urban nightlife scenes blending funk, soul, and electronic beats for communal dancing in underground venues. This foundation influenced later club-oriented works, such as ' self-titled debut album (2004), a and collection evoking vibrant club atmospheres through tracks like "" and "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'." Songs referencing club scenes, including Katy Perry's "" (2010) with its playful nods to carefree partying, further capture the energetic, escapist vibe of nightlife. Other notable examples include Lady Gaga's "" (2008), which directly celebrates losing oneself in club rhythms as a form of liberation. Television adaptations of club themes include the Mexican series (2015–2019), a comedy-drama satirizing and within a family-owned soccer club in a fictional town. Spanning four seasons, it portrays the chaotic power struggles and absurdities of club management, blending humor with critiques of and institutional dysfunction in Latin American sports culture. Video games have also embraced club motifs for , as seen in (2005–2017), a where players embodied penguins in a virtual island community, engaging in minigames, chats, and events mimicking exclusive club activities like parties and adventures. Developed by Club Penguin Entertainment, it fostered kid-friendly social interactions until its shutdown, amassing millions of users and spawning merchandise. Since 2023, has expanded club concepts into immersive formats, with podcasts like those on the Clubhouse audio platform exploring social dynamics in virtual group settings through real-time discussions on and exclusion. In virtual reality, platforms such as have popularized user-created "virtual clubs"—persistent social spaces for hangouts, , and —that simulate club exclusivity and interaction, experiencing 30% user growth in 2024 to over 130,000 concurrent participants by early 2025. These VR environments highlight emerging trends in social media, where clubs evolve from physical to digital realms for global connectivity.

Physical objects and tools

Club (weapon)

A club is a simple blunt consisting of a short, heavy stick or rigid , typically made of wood and often weighted at one end to increase impact force. The term derives from the "klubba," meaning a thick stick or cudgel, entering English around 1200 as a description of a handheld striking implement. The club's historical use dates to , with evidence of its application inferred from blunt force trauma on human remains, such as a 33,000-year-old from showing signs of repeated blows consistent with a club-like object. Actual preserved examples appear later in the period, including the 5,500-year-old Thames beater wooden club unearthed from the River Thames in , which experimental archaeology confirms could inflict lethal cranial fractures. By the medieval era, the club evolved into more specialized forms like the , a metal-headed variant effective against armored opponents in European warfare from the 12th century onward. Various types of clubs have emerged across cultures, including simple wooden staffs for and , Non-Western examples include the knobkerrie, a knob-headed wooden club employed by and other southern groups for throwing, parrying, and striking in warfare and ceremonies. In modern contexts, police batons such as the expandable model, introduced in the , serve as telescoping clubs for non-lethal restraint. The club holds cultural significance in mythology and warfare, exemplified by ' olive-wood club in Greek lore, wielded to stun the during his first labor around the 8th century BCE accounts. As of 2025, clubs and batons are legal for self-defense in 86% of U.S. states and of (44 out of 51 jurisdictions), where they may be carried for protection but often restricted in concealed or urban settings to prevent misuse. This primitive tool's legacy persists in contemporary , distinct from recreational derivatives like .

Golf club

A golf club is a specialized implement used in the sport of to strike a toward a target, consisting of a long, narrow shaft connected to a clubhead at one end and fitted with a at the other. The clubhead's varies to suit different shots, broadly categorized into (for long-distance strikes), irons (for controlled approach shots), and putters (for rolling the on the green). These components must conform to the Rules of Golf, jointly administered by and the (USGA), with the earliest standardization occurring in 1744 when the Gentlemen Golfers of drafted the first 13 rules for organized play at Leith Links in . The historical evolution of golf clubs began in 15th-century , where early handmade wooden clubs—crafted from local materials like or —were used with primitive balls, transitioning to featherie balls ( spheres stuffed with boiled feathers) by the for better flight. In 1826, Scottish clubmaker Robert Forgan introduced shafts imported from , which became the industry standard through the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to their strength and flexibility, enabling greater distance and control. Post-1990s innovations shifted to metal alloys, with heads revolutionizing club by reducing weight while increasing clubhead size and , allowing for higher ball speeds and straighter shots. Golf clubs are classified by type and purpose, with drivers featuring low s (typically 8–12 degrees) to maximize distance from the , often exceeding 250 yards for skilled players. Irons are numbered from 1 (least , longest shots) to 9 (higher , shorter approaches), providing versatility for mid-range play on the fairway or rough. Wedges extend this with even greater lofts, such as the sand wedge at 54–58 degrees for escaping bunkers or executing high, soft-landing around the . Technical specifications enhance performance customization, with shaft flex ranging from extra stiff (for high swing speeds over 105 ) to regular (for moderate speeds of 85–95 ), influencing trajectory and . Grips, typically made from durable rubber compounds or synthetic , provide traction and , often textured for varied conditions. The global market reached a value of USD 4.05 billion in 2024, reflecting steady demand driven by recreational and equipment upgrades. Recent innovations focus on adjustability and , exemplified by the SLDR driver introduced in 2013, which featured a movable hosel system allowing up to 1.5 degrees of adjustment and a sliding weight for customizable center of gravity to optimize spin and launch. By 2025, manufacturers are integrating eco-friendly materials, including recycled metals for shafts and composites in clubheads and grips, to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance standards.

Suit of clubs

The suit of clubs is one of the four suits in a standard 52-card deck of playing cards, represented by a black trefoil or three-leaf clover symbol (♣) that evokes clovers and is often linked to themes of agriculture and rural life. This suit originated in 15th-century Europe, evolving from the Latin suits used in Italian tarocchi (tarot) decks, where it corresponded to batons or wooden clubs symbolizing staves or tools of labor. The symbolism of the clubs suit derives from the French term "trèfle," meaning clover, and it is commonly associated with the earth element, representing growth, fertility, and the peasantry or agricultural class in medieval society. In cartomancy, a form of divination using playing cards, the suit signifies opportunity, action, physical labor, and positive developments such as luck or expansion, often tied to summertime and the common person's endeavors. In card games, the suit of clubs plays a key role in determining hand strength and gameplay mechanics; for instance, in poker, a club flush consists of five cards all of the clubs suit, ranking equally with other flushes but distinguished by its black color. In bridge, clubs is the lowest-ranking suit for bidding and trump purposes, below diamonds, hearts, and spades, requiring players to follow suit when possible. Solitaire variants, such as Klondike, use clubs for building descending sequences in alternating colors, emphasizing strategic suit matching. Across many trick-taking and ranking systems, clubs holds the lowest precedence among the black suits, subordinate to spades. Historical variants of playing card suits demonstrate regional adaptations; in traditional German-suited decks, common since the 15th century, the clubs position is occupied by acorns (Eicheln), alongside leaves, hearts, and bells, reflecting local flora and simplifying production for games like Skat. Since the 1800s, when mass printing revolutionized card manufacturing, the United States Playing Card Company alone has produced over 100 million decks annually, contributing to billions of standard decks worldwide that include the clubs suit. In contemporary digital card games, such as online platforms for poker, bridge, and solitaire, the clubs suit retains its traditional form and function, enabling virtual play with standard deck simulations.

Culinary uses

Club sandwich

The club sandwich, also known as the clubhouse sandwich, is a classic American triple-decker sandwich typically composed of three slices of toasted bread layered with sliced cooked poultry such as turkey or chicken, crispy fried bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato slices, and mayonnaise. This combination creates a hearty, balanced bite with contrasting textures of crunchy toast, crisp vegetables, and tender proteins. Variations may substitute ham for poultry or adjust seasonings, but the core elements remain consistent across traditional preparations. The sandwich's origins trace back to the late , with the most widely accepted theory attributing its invention to the Saratoga Club-House in , around 1894, where it was created as a quick meal for gamblers and club members. An alternative claim points to the Union Club of as the birthplace, though both highlight its emergence in elite social clubs. It gained widespread popularity in the among country clubs and restaurants, becoming a staple in upscale dining settings before spreading to casual eateries. Vegetarian adaptations, such as replacing with marinated or , have emerged to accommodate plant-based diets while preserving the layered structure. Open-faced versions, using fewer bread slices for a lighter presentation, also appear in modern recipes. Preparation involves assembling the layers sequentially: the first slice of toasted bread is spread with and topped with and , followed by a second slice with and , and finished with a third slice. Toothpicks are traditionally inserted through the layers to secure the before cutting it into quarters or triangles for easy handling. A standard serving provides approximately 700 calories and is notably high in protein, often exceeding 40 grams, making it a filling option for lunch. The has spread globally, inspiring adaptations like the Japanese katsu club, which incorporates breaded and fried cutlets with alongside traditional fillings. In the United States, it remains a classic, frequently featured on menus for its versatility and appeal. Post-2020, amid a boom emphasizing nutrient-dense foods, healthier iterations have incorporated for added healthy fats and creaminess, reducing reliance on . As of 2025, plant-based versions using or have gained popularity in response to rising vegan demand.

Club soda

Club soda is a type of that has been infused with under pressure and enhanced with added minerals such as , , , and to mimic the mineral content of natural spring water. These minerals contribute to a slightly salty and improved effervescence, distinguishing it from plain . The of club soda typically ranges from 5 to 6 due to the formation of from the dissolved CO2, making it mildly acidic. The term "club soda" originated in the late , with the first registered in 1877 by the Irish company Cantrell & Cochrane, named after the exclusive in where it was initially served to members. The history of club soda traces back to the invention of carbonated water by English chemist Joseph Priestley in 1772, who developed a method to infuse water with CO2 using a vat of fermenting beer. In 1783, Swiss-German entrepreneur Jacob Schweppe founded a company in Geneva to produce and bottle mineral waters, laying the groundwork for commercial carbonation; Schweppes remains a dominant brand today. A key advancement occurred in 1832 when New York inventor John Matthews patented an efficient apparatus for charging water with CO2, enabling cost-effective production and the rise of soda fountains in the United States. By 2025, the global sparkling water market, which includes club soda, is projected to be valued at USD 47.75 billion, driven by demand for low-calorie beverages. Club soda is widely used as a in cocktails, providing and dilution without adding or , as seen in drinks like the whiskey highball or . Its neutral profile makes it versatile for enhancing spirits while maintaining balance. Variations include seltzer water, which is simply without added minerals, offering a cleaner taste; and , which incorporates from bark for bitterness, along with sugar or sweeteners, primarily used in and tonics. Health-wise, supports as a sugar-free, calorie-free to sugary sodas, potentially aiding due to its mild acidity, though excessive consumption may affect . In recent years, flavored s have emerged as a trend, with launches like cucumber-infused varieties in 2024 appealing to consumers seeking subtle, natural tastes without artificial additives. These innovations expand its role beyond mixers into standalone refreshments, aligning with growing preferences for functional, low-sugar options. As of 2025, has seen increased use in culinary applications, such as lightening batters for or incorporating into zero-proof mocktails amid the rise of mindful drinking.

Mathematical uses

Club set

In set theory, a (short for closed unbounded set) is a C \subseteq \kappa of a limit ordinal \kappa that is both closed and unbounded in \kappa. Formally, C is closed if for every \alpha < \kappa such that \sup(C \cap \alpha) = \alpha > 0, it follows that \alpha \in C; C is unbounded if \sup C = \kappa. The concept of club sets became prominent in set theory in the 1970s, following work by Thomas Jech and Donald Kueker. These sets have since become fundamental in advanced areas such as forcing axioms and hypotheses, providing a framework for understanding "large" of ordinals with specific . Key of club sets include that if is , then the of fewer than many club of is again a club set. Club sets underpin set theory, where a S \subseteq \kappa is if it intersects every club set in \kappa; Fodor's lemma exemplifies their utility, asserting that any regressive function on a of a \kappa is constant on some . Representative examples include the set of all limit ordinals below \kappa, which forms a club in \kappa, and the set of ordinals of cofinality \omega in \omega_2, which is stationary but not club. Club sets feature prominently in proofs of consistency results, such as the relative consistency of V = L with certain large cardinals, where definable club sets enable the construction of diamond sequences that anticipate subsets of stationary sets. Recent developments link club sets to inner model theory through club guessing principles, which refine diamond-like guessing via sequences of clubs; for instance, Inamdar and Rinot (2025) provide a of club guessing ideals to derive ZFC-provable bounds on cardinal arithmetic without additional axioms.

Clubsuit

In , the clubsuit principle, denoted \clubsuit_\kappa for an uncountable \kappa, asserts the existence of a sequence \langle C_\alpha \mid \alpha < \kappa \rangle consisting of club subsets of \alpha such that for every club D \subseteq \kappa, there is a closed unbounded set E \subseteq \kappa with C_\alpha \subseteq D \cap \alpha for all \alpha \in E. This principle provides a combinatorial tool for analyzing filters on club sets, building on the foundational concept of club sets as closed and unbounded subsets of ordinals. It enables the construction of coherent sequences that "guess" initial segments of arbitrary clubs along a club, facilitating proofs in infinitary . Introduced by Jack Silver in 1971, \clubsuit_\kappa emerged as a refinement related to Jensen's \diamond_\kappa, which similarly guesses subsets but with stationary accuracy rather than club-wise. Unlike \diamond_\kappa, which requires a sequence guessing every subset A \subseteq \kappa on a set, \clubsuit_\kappa focuses specifically on clubs and is strictly weaker, as its failure does not imply the failure of \diamond_\kappa. \clubsuit_\kappa implies key consequences such as stationary reflection, where stationary sets reflect to smaller ordinals under certain conditions, but it does not entail full reflection principles. In , it plays a role in investigations of Vopěnka's principle, a asserting that of structures is elementarily embeddable into another without proper class many embeddings, by providing combinatorial over embeddings in forcing extensions. Regarding consistency strength, \clubsuit_\kappa holds in Gödel's constructible universe L, where principles are provable from V=L. Conversely, its is consistent relative to the existence of Woodin cardinals, as shown through forcing over models with supercompact or stronger assumptions that destroy such guessing sequences. Post-2010 developments in PCF (possible cofinalities) have leveraged \clubsuit_\kappa for advanced applications, addressing gaps in earlier analyses by establishing precise bounds on ordinal-valued functions and characterizing sets within the approachability ideal I[\lambda]. For instance, it has been used to derive exact upper bounds for functions in pcf generators and to show that certain sets evade approachability under weak square principles. These results highlight \clubsuit_\kappa's in bounding and iterating forcing notions while preserving combinatorial properties.

Commercial and brand uses

Club Med

Club Med is a multinational resort operator specializing in all-inclusive experiences, founded in 1950 by Belgian entrepreneur Gérard Blitz as a sports-focused holiday village in Alcúdia, Majorca, . Initially conceived as an affordable escape promoting communal activities and freedom from everyday constraints, it quickly evolved into a global pioneer of the all-inclusive model, where guests receive unlimited meals, drinks, and organized sports like and in exchange for a fixed fee. By 2025, the company operates 68 premium and exclusive across 40 countries, emphasizing upscale, activity-driven stays that blend relaxation with adventure. The business model centers on self-contained "villages" that cater to diverse demographics, including family-friendly options with kids' clubs and supervised activities, alongside eco-conscious properties certified under Green Globe standards for sustainable practices such as waste reduction and local sourcing. Club Med's revenue model relies on these comprehensive packages, generating a record business volume of €2.09 billion in 2024, driven by high demand for its mountain and beach destinations. Notable expansions include renovations and new openings, reflecting a strategic shift toward premium offerings since the early 2010s, with all resorts now classified as Premium or Exclusive Collection to enhance luxury elements like gourmet dining and wellness programs. Culturally, Club Med revolutionized mass tourism by democratizing international in the post-World War II era, fostering a sense of global community through multilingual staff and shared experiences that attracted over 1.5 million guests in alone. However, the company faced controversies in the and early over labor practices, including reports of , low pay for seasonal "G.O.s" (Gentils Organisateurs), and discriminatory wages for temporary foreign workers at resorts like Charlevoix. In response, Club Med has committed to goals, such as achieving for European resorts by 2030 and eliminating single-use plastics across properties. Following the , achieved a robust recovery, with average room occupancy reaching 75% in 2024—a two-point increase from the prior year—fueled by pent-up travel demand and expanded capacity of 4% through renovations. To modernize guest engagement, the company launched the "My Club Med" , enabling digital bookings for activities, real-time schedule access, and personalized itineraries before and during stays. This digital integration supports its ongoing growth, with plans for new resorts in regions like and the by 2026.

Sam's Club

Sam's Club is a membership-only retail chain owned by , specializing in bulk purchases of groceries, electronics, apparel, and other consumer goods at discounted prices to small businesses and individual shoppers. Founded by , it opened its first location on April 7, 1983, in , as an experiment in the emerging model inspired by competitors like . By 2025, operates over 600 locations primarily in the United States across 44 states and , with additional stores in and a few other international markets, serving approximately 50 million paid members. The chain's operations revolve around a membership-based , where annual fees generate significant alongside merchandise ; the basic Club membership costs $50 per year, while the tier at $110 includes perks such as 2% cash back on purchases, free shipping on most online orders, and access to additional services like optical centers, pharmacies, and services, and fuel stations offering discounted . Members access items in large-format stores averaging 134,000 square feet, emphasizing value through limited selection of high-turnover products from national brands and Sam's private-label Member's Mark line. This model competes directly with Wholesale, though Sam's Club differentiates with integrated Walmart efficiencies and a focus on digital tools like the Scan & Go for contactless shopping. In 2024 (ended January 31, 2024), Sam's Club reported net of $86.3 billion, contributing to Walmart's overall portfolio while prioritizing operational margins through membership renewals exceeding 90%. Historically, was established as a of during the company's expansion in the , with early growth funded by Walmart's resources and no formal merger required since it was internally developed; by , it had acquired smaller chains to accelerate expansion into urban and Midwestern markets. International growth began with the opening of its first store in , , on August 12, 1996, marking Walmart's push into Asian markets, followed by gradual additions reaching about 50 clubs there by 2025. Digital innovations emerged in the , including the launch of the standalone Scan & Go app in 2016 for in-club scanning and checkout, which was integrated into the main Sam's Club app in 2018 to enhance e-commerce and curb-side pickup options. As part of Walmart's broader environmental commitments, participates in sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing its , including a corporate goal to power all global operations with by 2035 through investments in , and community solar projects that supplied nearly 50% of Walmart's electricity needs in 2024. These efforts extend to product sourcing, with targets for Member's Mark items to incorporate sustainable materials like recycled and responsibly sourced by 2025, aligning with Walmart's zero-emissions ambition by 2040.

Scientific and other uses

Club good

A in economics is characterized as excludable but non-rivalrous, allowing providers to restrict access through mechanisms like fees or memberships while one individual's does not diminish availability for others, at least until reaching capacity thresholds where congestion may introduce rivalry. This concept was introduced by in his 1965 paper "An Economic Theory of Clubs," which analyzed how such goods occupy an intermediate position between purely private goods (rivalrous and excludable) and public goods (non-excludable and non-rivalrous). Buchanan emphasized exclusion as a to internalize benefits within a defined group, preventing overuse and enabling efficient private provision. Club goods contrast sharply with public goods, such as clean air or lighthouses, which cannot feasibly exclude non-payers and remain non-rivalrous regardless of usage scale. Representative examples include , where paying subscribers access programming without reducing the service for others; private gyms, offering equipment and space that support multiple simultaneous users up to facility limits; and uncongested toll roads, which bar non-payers via barriers but permit parallel vehicle travel without resource depletion. These illustrations highlight how club goods facilitate targeted consumption while mitigating the free-rider issues plaguing public alternatives. The underlying theory advocates for optimal provision via voluntary "clubs"—groups of users who jointly fund and manage the good—to balance scale economies against . Buchanan's frames this as maximization for members, where total rises with additional participants due to cost-sharing but eventually declines from ; the club size occurs when marginal from an extra member equals marginal cost, typically with membership (N) below full capacity to preserve non-rivalry. This approach avoids the underprovision of public goods by enabling exclusionary pricing that captures user . Applications in often involve gated communities, where residents form clubs to finance exclusive like private security and recreational facilities, thereby enhancing collective welfare through enforced access controls. Policy implications for underscore club goods' role in scalable provision; , for example, operates as such by granting unlimited video streaming to its 301.6 million global subscribers as of 2025, excluding non-members while ensuring non-rivalrous access absent bandwidth constraints. Such models inform regulations balancing innovation with equitable access in information economies. Post-2020 studies on the have applied club goods analysis to platforms like , viewing ride-hailing as excludable via app registration and payment but non-rivalrous in matching supply to demand up to surge limits, thus optimizing in dynamic markets.

Club (anatomy)

In , a "club" refers to various enlarged or bulbous structures in biological organisms, often serving defensive, sensory, or structural roles. One prominent example is the of ankylosaurid dinosaurs, an armored group from the period. This structure consists of a stiffened "handle" formed by interlocking caudal vertebrae and a bulbous "knob" composed of fused osteoderms at the tail's end, enabling powerful swings for . In like Euoplocephalus tutus, the knob could reach widths of up to 620 mm and generate impact forces sufficient to fracture the bones of predators such as Tyrannosaurus rex, with estimated club masses around 20 kg based on biomechanical analyses. evidence of advanced tail clubs dates to approximately 70 million years ago in North American formations, though precursor features evolved stepwise as early as the mid-Cretaceous around 110 million years ago. In mammals, club-like formations appear in both skeletal and neural contexts. Some , particularly mouse-like in the subfamily Deomyinae, possess embedded osteoderms—bony scales beneath the tail skin—that provide reinforcement similar to ankylosaur armor, potentially aiding in locomotion or protection. Neural clubs manifest as specialized sensory endings, such as the club-like terminals of trigeminal neurons innervating vibrissae (), which detect mechanical stimuli with high firing frequencies up to 300 Hz during air puff stimulation, facilitating tactile exploration. These endings, characterized by bulbous morphology and dense neurofilaments, integrate with other mechanoreceptors to encode environmental textures and vibrations. A notable modern analog is the human , or congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), a musculoskeletal deformity where the foot is rotated inward and downward due to abnormal tendon and ligament development. It affects approximately 1.18 per 1,000 live births globally, with higher rates in certain populations like those of Polynesian descent. Treatment primarily involves the non-surgical of serial casting and bracing, often supplemented by minor surgical , achieving correction in over 95% of idiopathic cases when initiated early. Emerging research highlights club structures in , such as the clubbed antennae of (Lepidoptera: ), which feature enlarged distal segments packed with olfactory sensilla for detecting pheromones and host plants. A 2024 morphological study of species revealed that these clubs contain multiporous sensilla that enhance chemosensory acuity. These natural clubs parallel manufactured weapons in form but evolved for sensory rather than combative purposes.