One floor higher at Wal-Mart subsidiary Sam's Club a different story is apparently taking place. Late Thursday the warehouse store announced the elimination of 90 out of 400 jobs because sales have not met expectations. The store opened its doors in October.

Fifteen Sam's Club workers slated to lose their jobs already have transferred to open positions at Wal-Mart, Lin said yesterday. Those losing their jobs can apply for more than 75 additional openings at the adjoining Wal-Mart and the Pearl City Sam's Club, she added. The layoffs were pegged to an inaccurate sales projection and a lack of consumer familiarity with Sam's Club.

"It's just beginning to build its business," Lin said. "We do believe as people become more familiar with what Sam's Club offers, that business will build over time."

Concerns about the viability of the new 150,000-square-foot Sam's Club store aren't new. In 2001, when Wal-Mart's first attempt to buy the "Ke'eaumoku superblock" near Ala Moana Center fell through, a representative of property owner Wichman Family Trust said Sam's Club expressed concern over sales projections.

Part of the difficulty with the new Sam's Club may be its upper-story location. The store is on top of Wal-Mart with direct access from the third level of the adjoining parking garage or an entrance ramp from the first floor. Sam's Club shoppers not parked on the third floor must move their purchased goods between floors of the four-level garage.

"Traditionally, it is difficult when you're on a second floor," said local retail consultant Stephany Sofos. "The bottom line is when you're dealing with shoppers today, it's all about convenience.

"If it's the least bit difficult, people won't do it."

Despite Sam's Club's initial difficulties the location of the store still has several advantages, including its proximity to Ala Moana Center and Ross Stores, along with ample parking, Sofos said.

Even though Sam's Club is a division of Wal-Mart, Sam's Club workers seeking Wal-Mart jobs must re-apply. That allows Sam's Club workers to seek different positions than they hold, Lin said. She could not say whether Sam's Club workers would get any preferential treatment over other applicants.

David Engle, who said he was fired by the Ke'eaumoku Sam's Club for falling short of membership sales goals, said laid-off workers shouldn't hold out hope for a Wal-Mart job.

"They need to get on with their lives and get a new job," said Engle, who left a job as a full-time cook to join Sam's Club this fall. Engle said he returned to Zippy's as a part-time cook after failing to land a job at Wal-Mart.

"I thought I had a good job and that I could go a long way with the company," Engle said of Sam's Club.