Walmart, Inc. said it will close 63 Sam’s Club locations nationwide and convert up to 12 of the affected clubs to e-commerce fulfillment centers in a move to speed delivery of online orders. Following the closures, the company will operate 597 Sam’s Club stores.

Transforming our business means managing our real estate portfolio and Walmart needs a strong fleet of Sam’s Clubs that are fit for the future,” said John Furner, president and chief executive officer of Sam’s Club. “We know this is difficult news for our associates, and we are working to place as many of them as possible at nearby locations. Our focus today has been on those associates and their communities, and communicating with them.”

The first of the converted e-commerce fulfillment centers will be located in Memphis, Tenn. The company said it will provide support and resources to affected employees.

“We need great people to help lead us into the future and we hope that many of them will stay with the company at either a local store or club,” Mr. Furner said. “Change is never easy, but we’re making these decisions as part of running a healthy business.”

Walmart said it will record a discrete charge of approximately 14c per share related to the actions.