People queue for up to 90 minutes for Costco memberships
Saturday, 26 March 2022
Queues have been forming outside Costco NZ's temporary office this week as people sign-up for memberships months before it opens.
The big box retailer is expected to open its three-storey mega-store at Westgate, Auckland, in August.
The company’s website said memberships are now available for purchase at its temporary office, and encouraged people to sign up now to “beat the rush on opening day”.
Only Costco members can shop at the store.
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An Auckland man on his social media account showed the queue of more than 30 people lining up in drizzly weather on Wednesday, and some in-line told the NZ Herald the wait was up to 90 minutes long.
The annual membership fee of $60 for individuals and $55 for businesses.
Membership fees are one of Costco's key sources of revenue, allowing it to run on thin profit margins and pass savings on to customers.
Costco has more than 100 million members across its 803 stores worldwide.
The store is expected to offer the American chain's full format, ranging from groceries and homewares, to a Costco fuel station, tyre centre, a food court, to optometrist and hearing aid services.
In Australia, Costco prices were 25 to 30 per cent cheaper than at other retailers and the same was expected for New Zealand.
About 350 workers would be hired by the time the store opened.
The company also has consent for a store in Christchurch, and would look to expand to Wellington in the future.
A 27-pump self-service petrol station is also nearing completion, which will open ahead of the mega-store.
As global fuel prices soar, consumers in the United States had flocked to wholesale clubs like Costco, where petrol can be as much as 30 cents a gallon (3.7 litres) cheaper than at traditional service stations.
Costco fuel is also available only to members.