13 July 2011

Costco Opening This Month!

| jessieduck
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With Costco due to open in a week and a half, I thought I would have a poke around the internet to see what we are in for. Having been to Costcos in Canada and the US, I am excited about the prospect of discounted groceries but also wondering how the typical Canberra home will cope with bulk buying (not many basements around these parts). I’ve paid my $60 membership fee (price is per family, not per person) and am ready to shop but we’re yet to see any emails or received any coupon books from Costco yet. It’s only from checking the website that I can see they are opening on the 22nd.

So quick education for the uninitiated. You need a membership to shop there. Thems are the rules. The stores are huge- a Bunnings style supermarkets with pallets of goods sold mostly in bulk- big bottles, large jars, multi-packs, boxes etc. Kirkland is Costco’s own brand and I guess is comparable to the Woolworth Select model. They sell everything from toilet paper to electronics to diamond rings along with meat, fruit and veg. They also have a food court selling hotdogs, pies, pizza etc and all-you-can-drink sodas (oops sorry, soft drinks). I’ve been told that members will get a coupon book a few times a year that will increase the savings on certain items. Costco is also pretty famous for their staff handing out samples as you move down the aisle (it’s how they get you).

Because I was curious… and had a bit of time on my hands… I jumped on Flickr and looked at “Costco Melbourne” pictures to suss out what they sell here in Australia. Most of the pictures are from 2009 and 2010 but I think the following is a pretty good indication of a fraction of what will be on offer here in Canberra. Don’t laugh, the following is not indicative of what I’ll be buying just what I was able to see prices for:

Box of Tim Tams (equiv to 6 packets) $10.49
1.2kg Shapes biscuits $12.49
Bucket of Vegemite (1kg?) $11.17
Box of 72 Caramello Koalas $23.99
Box of 30 small packets of Red Rock Deli chips $31.99
Box of Crunchies $45.99
4x 160gram Colgate toothpaste $16.98
2x 750ml Head and Shoulders $22.99
2x 354ml Aveeno Bodywash $15.99
5 carat diamond ring $159,999.00 (yes, the decimal point is in the right spot)
120 Crayola crayons $24.99
Ecomonmy pack of Optifree contact lens cleaner $12.99
HP 6 pack colour ink refill $79.99

Meat and fish
Korean marinated beef $13.99kg
Cooked lamb shanks $10.99kg
Prepared chicken parmigiana $12.99kg
Beef tenderloin (bulk) $27.99 kg
1.25kg bucket of marinated baby octopus $19.99
140gram crabmeat $10.99
Prepared salmon steaks $31.99kg
Whole salmon $14.99kg
Chicken thighs $9.49kg
NY striploin (bulk) $15.99kg
Cooked chook $9.99

Cheese
Happy Cow 24 pack $2.99
Soresina Provolone $17.29kg
Parmigino Reggiano $29.99
Jindi Camembert $33.99

There weren’t any pictures of the fruit and veg prices but I am led to believe it’s a very good price in Melbourne so I imagine we’ll get similar. I’ve also heard that TP is something like 30c a roll but you need to buy half a years supply in one go.

Costco might not be the place to shop if you can’t control your impulse buying but otherwise I think it has the potential to save my family money… if I shop smart. I’m willing to give it a go but if it doesn’t work for us, oh well, at least my North American husband will have somewhere to go if he gets homesick.

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Ive just taken a friend into costco without a drama.
Gotta say, a 1000 tin of chubba chubs looks mighty fine to me for $180!!!! 🙂

So which part of “Membership Warehouse” didn’t you understand?

… and I can report, with considerable annoyance, that they are not letting anyone in without a membership card! Arrrrgh.

We did view some of the giant shopping trolleys coming out though, and like others have said, the “bulk” thing really isn’t bulk as we know it. Very do-able for the weekly family grocery shop.

If they”ll let you in.

People from our building went over an hour or so ago, and said the checkouts were only 4 or 5 people deep, 10 minute wait, max. I imagine the real crowds will happen tomorrow, so far it’s a bit of a bust!

Watson said :

Erg0 said :

John Moulis said :

I don’t think I’ll bother going. I don’t need to buy 30 rolls of toilet paper at once. Woolies and Coles will do me.

Funnily enough, I saw on the news the other night that toilet paper is their number one selling item.

I don’t tend to buy items in bulk as we’re only a 2-person family. But I do believe that one can never have enough toilet paper stacked up! I can run out of milk, rice, bread, dishwshing liquid, laundry powder, anything. But running out of toilet paper = horror! (Running out of coffee makes me a danger to society, but that’s a different story.)

Not every things Costco sells is massive. My family consists only of myself and my husband (and two cats) and there is lots for us to buy. For example, the loo cleaner comes in normal sizes, but its two wrapped together, and far cheaper than the shops. You should go along with someone who has a membership, buy a few things and determine then if you should buy yourself one or not.
Even as only a couple my husband and I will be buying most of our groceries from there, and saving heaps.

johnboy said :

Watson said :

I don’t tend to buy items in bulk as we’re only a 2-person family. But I do believe that one can never have enough toilet paper stacked up! I can run out of milk, rice, bread, dishwshing liquid, laundry powder, anything. But running out of toilet paper = horror! (Running out of coffee makes me a danger to society, but that’s a different story.)

Just remember there’s always a Chronicle on the nature strip.

Fear no more.

You just described my uni days…

Watson said :

I don’t tend to buy items in bulk as we’re only a 2-person family. But I do believe that one can never have enough toilet paper stacked up! I can run out of milk, rice, bread, dishwshing liquid, laundry powder, anything. But running out of toilet paper = horror! (Running out of coffee makes me a danger to society, but that’s a different story.)

Just remember there’s always a Chronicle on the nature strip.

Fear no more.

Erg0 said :

John Moulis said :

I don’t think I’ll bother going. I don’t need to buy 30 rolls of toilet paper at once. Woolies and Coles will do me.

Funnily enough, I saw on the news the other night that toilet paper is their number one selling item.

I don’t tend to buy items in bulk as we’re only a 2-person family. But I do believe that one can never have enough toilet paper stacked up! I can run out of milk, rice, bread, dishwshing liquid, laundry powder, anything. But running out of toilet paper = horror! (Running out of coffee makes me a danger to society, but that’s a different story.)

Thoroughly Smashed10:38 am 22 Jul 11

I wonder if they’re bringing EXTREME COUPONING with them.

Costco is amazing!! I went at 9am today, and it wasn’t heaps busy. The price on most items is like when Coles and Woolies have their stuff half price. But everything is that price at Costco all the time. Too bad I’m moving house in 2 weeks, I could have bought so much stuff.
They have all the normal food, plus some random US foods. They everything from toilet paper to whole Alaskan king crab.
Even with the $60 membership fee I can see I am going to save a lot of money

John Moulis said :

I don’t think I’ll bother going. I don’t need to buy 30 rolls of toilet paper at once. Woolies and Coles will do me.

Funnily enough, I saw on the news the other night that toilet paper is their number one selling item.

Some blokes in our building reported that there are people protesting, with Shame Terry Snow signs and suchlike. Looks like it’s these blokes:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/extenants-of-failed-brand-depot-to-rally/2234613.aspx
who opened up that Dash coffee at the front of Brand Depot after Starbucks left. Nice people, I got coffee there a few times and they were running a good business.

Tons of cars there, but also quite a lot of evident parking spots right out the front (on the newly washed bitumen) and blokes in fluro vests waiting to direct the hordes. No apparent crazed mayhem, yet.

Is anyone there this morning?

How busy is it to get your membership card done?

Im worried there’s gonna be a huge wait to get the memebrship card tomorrow

Plus I heard the whole place is populated by ABC listeners as well. You’d hate it John.

allyroger said :

Pretty sure that they stopped that policy (at least in the US) – people were taking back 100kg old school projection tvs and walking out with plasmas with the refund.

you’re right – I just looked it up, 90 day return policy for electronics. It doesnt mention the “exact” policy for anything else.

I don’t think I’ll bother going. I don’t need to buy 30 rolls of toilet paper at once. Woolies and Coles will do me.

majorLazer said :

@All the people who want to check it out before they buy, the good thing with the membership is that it is refundable. If you don’t like their products, you can get a membership refund at any time.

Also from what I have read, the Costco here also provide some sort of lifetime warranty on all products including electronics, which essentially means return it if you don’t like it 5 years later and get the money you payed for it back. Of course misuse means they will refund you the Membership fees and bar you from using it ever again

Pretty sure that they stopped that policy (at least in the US) – people were taking back 100kg old school projection tvs and walking out with plasmas with the refund.

gooterz said :

Say if you want to do family shopping is that $60 to enter the store per person or just for the one paying?

It is $60 for a membership, but you can look around before you get one. Maybe go along with someone who already has a membership?

Say if you want to do family shopping is that $60 to enter the store per person or just for the one paying?

Costco opens tomorrow! I’m really excited for it, but I get a bit aggro with large crowds sometimes. Maybe I’ll take a cattle prod.

It looks like the Costco website is overloaded today. Timeouts and resets galore. No doubt extra traffic due to buzz surrounding Auburn and Canberra openings and voucher downloads.

@All the people who want to check it out before they buy, the good thing with the membership is that it is refundable. If you don’t like their products, you can get a membership refund at any time.

Also from what I have read, the Costco here also provide some sort of lifetime warranty on all products including electronics, which essentially means return it if you don’t like it 5 years later and get the money you payed for it back. Of course misuse means they will refund you the Membership fees and bar you from using it ever again

I probably won’t end up going purely because of the $60 membership. I might have checked it out otherwise. $60 for me is my weekly food bill, or a new pair of shoes, or a full tank of petrol, or something else much better spent than a membership to something I am highly doubtful I will utilise. As others have mentioned, I don’t have a family to feed and as far as other items go, I don’t have the room to keep boxes of toilet paper around the place…

I do think it’s a great idea though! Just not for me.

Harriet Vane8:40 pm 13 Jul 11

I think the appeal of Costco is that it also caters to the commercial market. I believe a lot of restaurants/cafes in the US source their ingredients there. If they can establish a big enough catchment area, they should do well enough; one assumes they’ve done their business homework!

Can you go in for a look without incurring the $60 cover charge?

CanberraGirl197:41 pm 13 Jul 11

I’m just not so sure CostCo will work in Canberra. As others have already stated, we just don’t have the population to support it. If you have to buy everything in bulk, people will either only go out there every 1 or 2 months, or they’ll realise that stuff is going off because they can’t eat it in time and start shopping at a regular supermarket again. Even if half of Canberra signed up, if everyone only made one trip out there every month or so, would that really be enough business to keep the place going?

Also, people that read Choice magazine would have read the rather interesting article in the last issue about the value of the food people throw out because they didn’t eat it and it went off, and why buying in bulk is not a good option for everyone.

I’m not expecting Costco to be a weekly habit but once a month/once every two months might work out. It’s not too far away considering I drive past it to visit family at least once a week and my sister is happy to buddy up on some items (like meat) to reduce the initial outlay as well as help with freezer space. I’m happy to give it a go and hopefully say goodbye to Woolies in Dickson forever. The Farmers Markets will still hold a special place in our weekly schedule (which we walk to poetix) but I see Costco as an excellent addition to Canberra’s grocery basket.

Watson said :

Classified said :

Once you start adding up savings across multiple areas (eg food out, entertainment, coffees, transport, clothing, travel, gambling, etc), you are starting to look at substantial savings. Add up across all these areas, and add that across the weeks and months and years, the difference is actually pretty substantial.

Aha! I hardly spend any money on any of those things! (You should see my wardrobe – it’s pathetic!) Except for travel. Obligation to the European family… 3 times to Europe in 6 years: ouch! There was most of my deposit right there.

It’s an understandable but not necessarily a correct assumption that people who pay for convenience in one area, would automatically be wasteful in other areas of their life. But it’s all a matter of priorities. Keeping in touch with family and introducing my daughter to them and my culture was more important to me than the house in the end.

But I can make up for the savings I will not make by not going to Costco by not buying clothes for myself for another couple of years and riding the bike to work.

Anywho… I’m unlikely to ever go there, so I should get the hell out of this thread! 🙂

I figured I didn’t know your situation, and it sounds like you’ve made lots of decisions that will pay long lasting dividends. I’m a in a similar boat, in that I’m happy to economise in some areas but spend up in others. Cheers.

Why is everyone so quick to bag out CostCo ???

They are not just a supermarket.. they sell everything from electrical equipment to jewelery and clothing and tools.

I used to shop at the Costco in Juneau, Alaska.. it was always packed and they had amazing bargains. 20 pairs of ‘nike’ socks for $5.. don’t mind if I do !!

Clearly none of you have large families to support, they will be the big winners out of Costco opening and will likely save the $60 membership fee in the first shop.

Pretty sure our work plans on getting a membership to go out an buy discounted food so we can have a snack shop at work instead of paying 4 times as much in vending machines, and using the profits for our christmas party.

Classified said :

Once you start adding up savings across multiple areas (eg food out, entertainment, coffees, transport, clothing, travel, gambling, etc), you are starting to look at substantial savings. Add up across all these areas, and add that across the weeks and months and years, the difference is actually pretty substantial.

Aha! I hardly spend any money on any of those things! (You should see my wardrobe – it’s pathetic!) Except for travel. Obligation to the European family… 3 times to Europe in 6 years: ouch! There was most of my deposit right there.

It’s an understandable but not necessarily a correct assumption that people who pay for convenience in one area, would automatically be wasteful in other areas of their life. But it’s all a matter of priorities. Keeping in touch with family and introducing my daughter to them and my culture was more important to me than the house in the end.

But I can make up for the savings I will not make by not going to Costco by not buying clothes for myself for another couple of years and riding the bike to work.

Anywho… I’m unlikely to ever go there, so I should get the hell out of this thread! 🙂

Classified said :

Please not I’m saying Watson is a wasteful person, just highlighting that being habitually careful can make a big difference.

How about I fix this bit:

Please note that I’m not saying Watson is a wasteful person, just highlighting that being habitually careful can make a big difference.

harvyk1 said :

Classified said :

Watson said :

Classified said :

Watson said :

I fail to understand how anyone can get excited about groceries, but to each their own. I know my mother would love it.

I’ll keep getting my groceries delivered by Coles and be blissfully ignorant about how much money I could be saving if I’d do the 2 hour trip and buy in bulk.

Apologies in advance if this is a case of mistaken identity, but weren’t you the person getting upset recently about not being able to buy the home you wanted? Wouldn’t making a brief trip out to Costco save you a significant amount over time?

Ah thanks for that tip! That $5 in savings – taking into account the cost of the petrol and we’re only a 2-person family – will go a long way towards my weekly mortgage repayments. Hurrah, I’m saved! Finding time to spend relaxing with my child and doing the housework I don’t find time for during the week is also significant in comparison to getting rich by shopping at Costco.

(I do apologise for my bad attempt at sarcasm – just grumpy today.)

Not having a go at you, just suggesting that I reckon if you shopped carefully at Costco you could make pretty reasonable savings (in the tens of dollars per week even), which over time would add up well.

Hope your day improves! 🙂

Yay, tens of dollars per month… With that kinda savings I could change from a 3 bedroom house into a 5 bedroom house with money to spare…

Seriously, if a $50 savings a month is the difference between affording a house and not affording a house, you can’t afford one, one interest rate rise will knock you out…

We’ll ignore the other things such as the cost of time and petrol to get out there, as they also will distroy your savings…

What I was alluding to (and which has been obviously missed) is that someone who is unconcerned about spending a few bucks extra on groceries (that add up to 50-100 bucks a month) is likely to be unconcerned about spending a few extra bucks on other things too. Once you start adding up savings across multiple areas (eg food out, entertainment, coffees, transport, clothing, travel, gambling, etc), you are starting to look at substantial savings. Add up across all these areas, and add that across the weeks and months and years, the difference is actually pretty substantial.

Please not I’m saying Watson is a wasteful person, just highlighting that being habitually careful can make a big difference.

Classified said :

Watson said :

Classified said :

Watson said :

I fail to understand how anyone can get excited about groceries, but to each their own. I know my mother would love it.

I’ll keep getting my groceries delivered by Coles and be blissfully ignorant about how much money I could be saving if I’d do the 2 hour trip and buy in bulk.

Apologies in advance if this is a case of mistaken identity, but weren’t you the person getting upset recently about not being able to buy the home you wanted? Wouldn’t making a brief trip out to Costco save you a significant amount over time?

Ah thanks for that tip! That $5 in savings – taking into account the cost of the petrol and we’re only a 2-person family – will go a long way towards my weekly mortgage repayments. Hurrah, I’m saved! Finding time to spend relaxing with my child and doing the housework I don’t find time for during the week is also significant in comparison to getting rich by shopping at Costco.

(I do apologise for my bad attempt at sarcasm – just grumpy today.)

Not having a go at you, just suggesting that I reckon if you shopped carefully at Costco you could make pretty reasonable savings (in the tens of dollars per week even), which over time would add up well.

Hope your day improves! 🙂

Yay, tens of dollars per month… With that kinda savings I could change from a 3 bedroom house into a 5 bedroom house with money to spare…

Seriously, if a $50 savings a month is the difference between affording a house and not affording a house, you can’t afford one, one interest rate rise will knock you out…

We’ll ignore the other things such as the cost of time and petrol to get out there, as they also will distroy your savings…

Keijidosha said :

P.S. Does anyone know if CostCo have them trolleys with a seat and motor? That warehouse looks pretty big, and I can’t be expected to walk AND carry all the stuff I’m fixin’ to buy.

You can do what I used to see people in the US doing, and now they’re doing it here, god help us.

They slump over their shopping trolley, and walk around pretty-well supported by the trolley. Their head and shoulders are almost IN the trolley. It’s so slob-like.

Watson said :

Classified said :

Watson said :

I fail to understand how anyone can get excited about groceries, but to each their own. I know my mother would love it.

I’ll keep getting my groceries delivered by Coles and be blissfully ignorant about how much money I could be saving if I’d do the 2 hour trip and buy in bulk.

Apologies in advance if this is a case of mistaken identity, but weren’t you the person getting upset recently about not being able to buy the home you wanted? Wouldn’t making a brief trip out to Costco save you a significant amount over time?

Ah thanks for that tip! That $5 in savings – taking into account the cost of the petrol and we’re only a 2-person family – will go a long way towards my weekly mortgage repayments. Hurrah, I’m saved! Finding time to spend relaxing with my child and doing the housework I don’t find time for during the week is also significant in comparison to getting rich by shopping at Costco.

(I do apologise for my bad attempt at sarcasm – just grumpy today.)

Not having a go at you, just suggesting that I reckon if you shopped carefully at Costco you could make pretty reasonable savings (in the tens of dollars per week even), which over time would add up well.

Hope your day improves! 🙂

Classified said :

Watson said :

I fail to understand how anyone can get excited about groceries, but to each their own. I know my mother would love it.

I’ll keep getting my groceries delivered by Coles and be blissfully ignorant about how much money I could be saving if I’d do the 2 hour trip and buy in bulk.

Apologies in advance if this is a case of mistaken identity, but weren’t you the person getting upset recently about not being able to buy the home you wanted? Wouldn’t making a brief trip out to Costco save you a significant amount over time?

Ah thanks for that tip! That $5 in savings – taking into account the cost of the petrol and we’re only a 2-person family – will go a long way towards my weekly mortgage repayments. Hurrah, I’m saved! Finding time to spend relaxing with my child and doing the housework I don’t find time for during the week is also significant in comparison to getting rich by shopping at Costco.

(I do apologise for my bad attempt at sarcasm – just grumpy today.)

what_the said :

Dont forget the ivory backscratcher in the next order 😉

See, I wouldn’t know if Coles sells ivory backscratchers. If I needed one, I’d check. But I don’t get tempted to buy stuff I don’t need because I don’t browse the aisles. And fortunately their online shop is so primitive that I never get tempted to just browse.

U.S.A! U.S.A!

Yee-haw! How good is it going to be when I can shop for everything my cholesterol-coated heart desires, all under one roof? Seriously, when this place opens I doubt I’ll have enough space in my SUV to fit all the “stuff” I’ve bought and still have room for little Destiny and Rayshawn. I am drooling at the prospect of food court with hotdogs, pies and pizza – and ALL YOU CAN DRINK SODA POP! Now THAT is what I call livin’ the dream.

God bless America.

P.S. Does anyone know if CostCo have them trolleys with a seat and motor? That warehouse looks pretty big, and I can’t be expected to walk AND carry all the stuff I’m fixin’ to buy.

To be honest, a $60 membership is a killer for me. If i could go in once (and buy things) that would help me decide if i actually wanted to fork out the membership fee.

Watson said :

I fail to understand how anyone can get excited about groceries, but to each their own. I know my mother would love it.

I’ll keep getting my groceries delivered by Coles and be blissfully ignorant about how much money I could be saving if I’d do the 2 hour trip and buy in bulk.

Apologies in advance if this is a case of mistaken identity, but weren’t you the person getting upset recently about not being able to buy the home you wanted? Wouldn’t making a brief trip out to Costco save you a significant amount over time?

watto23 said :

What interests me more is that Costco, woolies and supabarn will be there together….

Supabarn is flouncing out as soon as their lease is up. When the advent of CostCo was announced, they threw a wobbly and reverted to unperishable bulk goods only… got rid of the fruit and veggies, dairy and smallgoods. It does surprise me that businesses like Supa Barn will sign leases with the airport without insisting on a clause that similar businesses may not open up next door.

I’m not sure what Jim Murphys plans to do, I have no idea if tha airport outlet is turning a profit or not. It’s a very good shop, it really hurts to be in coles or woolies grog shops and see wine for $17 that Jim Murphys has for $8.

I heard that 3 Seeds wasn’t doing well either but maybe they’re hanging on, hoping for flow-over business when CostCo gets going next week.

poetix said :

Let’s all become Americans, asap. Ever heard of walking to the shops?

Whats your point,that cheaper groceries will turn us into americans?

I’m an American moving to Canberra shortly. When living in the US (I’ve been an expat a few years), I never had a Costco membership because it was just my husband and I, and we tended to buy organic, so shopped at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. However, we now have a toddler, and I can see joining Costco when we move to Canberra. Not only will it give us access to American brands (some of which we do miss), but we do really try to stock up these days. Life is so busy and it’s just better to shop in bulk and less often (except for fruit/vegs, which we buy 1-2x week).

Costco is known in the US for having good employment practices; here’s an article on the topic: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/business/yourmoney/17costco.html

Let’s all become Americans, asap. Ever heard of walking to the shops?

I’;m kind of in the wait and see basket with this. I work in Fyshwick, so getting there is actually close after work. But as a single person living in my own house, whether some of the bulk stuff is worth my $60 membership I’m not sure.
The frozen stuff I’d be tempted to buy in bulk would probably require a freezer, which I don’t have.

I don’t really shop at Aldi now, mainly due to convenience factor. I shop at the Woolies next door to an Aldi. I visit aldi when they have non food stuff for sale. So the convenience thing is a big factor. Interestingly there always seems to be a desire for a Ikea here. I think its got more chance of working because people will travel to buy furniture.

What interests me more is that Costco, woolies and supabarn will be there together….
Can’t see how that will work any better than the brand depot.

I’m on the fence. I know in the US people drive into town specially to visit CostCo, and it’s sure worth it. I want to see the products before joining although I read that you have to be a member even to walk in! They certainly don’t try that in the US.

I see a lot of rural folk using the Aldi in Queanbeyan for big stock-up shops, and so expect that a lot of that business will move to CostCo.

Whether the initial interest can be sustained though remains to be seen… Supa Barn had an excellent supermarket there with thousands of cars passing each day and they evidently couldn’t make it pay.

Watson said :

I fail to understand how anyone can get excited about groceries, but to each their own. I know my mother would love it.

I’ll keep getting my groceries delivered by Coles and be blissfully ignorant about how much money I could be saving if I’d do the 2 hour trip and buy in bulk.

Dont forget the ivory backscratcher in the next order 😉

harvyk1 said :

My prediction for costco in Canberra at it’s current site…

Slowly but surely the lure of the local wollies will again get people back for the convinence factor, people don’t want to drive for an hour and a half to do their weekly shopping, when they can go down to the local wollies and purchase all they need and be back home in less time than it takes to drive to costco.

I expect half the reason why Costco does well in Melbourne is because it’s right near the CBD, in a place with 10 times the population of Canberra.

If you want proof, just look at Brand Depot and DFO. Brand Depot is no more, and DFO still has large area’s which have no shops. Convinence is king in Canberra, and we don’t have the population to operate on cost savings alone…

The first thing to note is that Costco is not just a big cheap Woolworths, Woolworths sells groceries, Costco sells groceries in addition to everything else.

It is hard to explain, but if you were to combine Woolworths, Dick Smith, K-Mart, Bunnings, Officeworks and a number of Jewelers, Optometrists, Sporting goods stores, auto service stores, Furniture stores into one giant building, you’re maybe half way to understanding what a Costco sells.

The second thing to note is that this isn’t some ill-conceived project from a Micky Mouse operator like the Canberra Airport or DFO. Cosco is the 9th largest retailer in the world, operating in 9 different countries. They didn’t become so successful from misunderstanding their target customers and opening stores in bad locations.

I can’t wait! My family will be using Costco to stock the pantry and freezer with staples – and to get bulk of the items that drive the weekly grocery budget up (like nappies, laundry detergent and dishwasher powder).

Though only being 15 minutes away we could use it as our regular grocery shopping venue, I don’t think this model of purchasing suits our families needs for most things. However ask me again when I have 2 teenage boys to feed…

Family in Wagga had advised that they received flyers announcing Costco Canberra, so it seems that they feel their market is broader than just Canberra and that people will travel a number of hours to stock up.

I think I’ll just stick with Farmers Direct, Roughly work out the same cost as woolies etc, except its VERY fresh, and delivered to my door. dont have to travel as much, just wish they had other products like t/paper etc then id never have to go to wollies again 🙂 Oh btw we save alot since we dont buy as much eg: used to cost us about $280 f’night to shop at woolies now we spend about $180 f’night (minus some items famers direct dont sell).

Eyl ><

ConanOfCooma10:44 am 13 Jul 11

I can’t wait – My family goes through a couple of those Vegemite buckets a year, and ATM we pay close to $30 for them.

Checking out the site for Melbourne… I can’t wait for this place to open!

I fail to understand how anyone can get excited about groceries, but to each their own. I know my mother would love it.

I’ll keep getting my groceries delivered by Coles and be blissfully ignorant about how much money I could be saving if I’d do the 2 hour trip and buy in bulk.

kschoey said :

harvyk1 said :

My prediction for costco in Canberra at it’s current site…
Most of Canberra will get a membership, either 104 or 106 will even do some sort of cross promotion with them. 6 months will go by and people will start to realise that it’s a hassle to get out there, but they have made “savings” on massive amounts of stuff. Well not really because they have spend twice as much as what they would have otherwise spent, and gotten 3 times as much as they would have normally, only to then throw half of it out because they realised that they wouldn’t eat 5kg of cheese in a week.

If you want proof, just look at Brand Depot and DFO. Brand Depot is no more, and DFO still has large area’s which have no shops. Convinence is king in Canberra, and we don’t have the population to operate on cost savings alone…

.

I think the reason that Brand Depot is no more and DFO is half empty has little to do with location and a lot to do with the fact that there were no real bargains to be had. In the case of DFO, most stores stock non discounted items with a few discount racks at the front of the store containing mostly last season stock ie summer stock when it’s now winter.

I (and most of the people I know) are counting down the days until Costco opens. Not everything is sold in massive containers – flour for example is still in the normal sized bags (1kg) but you have to buy a box with 8 in it.

Anyway, each to their own. I can’t wait until 22 July.

You’re the only one. Most of the people you know? Those are your multiple personalities

Anything to drive these ridiculous prices down. I was just over the states, shopping at Walmart where food was less than half price, sometimes down to a third of the price. For exampe – 1Lt of Powerade – $1, $3.50-$4.50 here in Australia for a 750mL.

harvyk1 said :

My prediction for costco in Canberra at it’s current site…
Most of Canberra will get a membership, either 104 or 106 will even do some sort of cross promotion with them. 6 months will go by and people will start to realise that it’s a hassle to get out there, but they have made “savings” on massive amounts of stuff. Well not really because they have spend twice as much as what they would have otherwise spent, and gotten 3 times as much as they would have normally, only to then throw half of it out because they realised that they wouldn’t eat 5kg of cheese in a week.

If you want proof, just look at Brand Depot and DFO. Brand Depot is no more, and DFO still has large area’s which have no shops. Convinence is king in Canberra, and we don’t have the population to operate on cost savings alone…

.

I think the reason that Brand Depot is no more and DFO is half empty has little to do with location and a lot to do with the fact that there were no real bargains to be had. In the case of DFO, most stores stock non discounted items with a few discount racks at the front of the store containing mostly last season stock ie summer stock when it’s now winter.

I (and most of the people I know) are counting down the days until Costco opens. Not everything is sold in massive containers – flour for example is still in the normal sized bags (1kg) but you have to buy a box with 8 in it.

Anyway, each to their own. I can’t wait until 22 July.

My prediction for costco in Canberra at it’s current site…
Most of Canberra will get a membership, either 104 or 106 will even do some sort of cross promotion with them. 6 months will go by and people will start to realise that it’s a hassle to get out there, but they have made “savings” on massive amounts of stuff. Well not really because they have spend twice as much as what they would have otherwise spent, and gotten 3 times as much as they would have normally, only to then throw half of it out because they realised that they wouldn’t eat 5kg of cheese in a week.

Slowly but surely the lure of the local wollies will again get people back for the convinence factor, people don’t want to drive for an hour and a half to do their weekly shopping, when they can go down to the local wollies and purchase all they need and be back home in less time than it takes to drive to costco.

I expect half the reason why Costco does well in Melbourne is because it’s right near the CBD, in a place with 10 times the population of Canberra.

If you want proof, just look at Brand Depot and DFO. Brand Depot is no more, and DFO still has large area’s which have no shops. Convinence is king in Canberra, and we don’t have the population to operate on cost savings alone…

Before you start telling me “well want about costco in the states it’s in the middle of nowhere” well yes it is, but the states has a massive population compared to us, I’ve driven past one on the outskirts of Los Angeles (same sort of distance away as Costco would be from Canberra), however LA has half the population of Australia living in a single city, they would be able to find enough people in a city of that size who would be willing to drive out to the middle of nowhere to buy stuff.

capn_pugwash9:23 am 13 Jul 11

We joined up in melbourne before that one opened and have loved it. I would say you would save the membership price in the first few visits easily but if you don’t think it is worth it then i’m pretty sure they refund it! You don’t need to be a large family to shop there by any means. Lots of american products so it is fun to try those but also some local ones too. The bakery, meat, fruit and vegetables are also good. It gives the big supermarkets some competition – they definitely lifted their game in melbourne after costco opened there! They also have very efficient checkouts – kind of like aldi where they zip you through quickly & sometimes they have a second staff member to pack it all into your trolley for you. You can then pack it into bags later or put it straight into your car. If you are thinking of being a tightie and sharing a membership with a friend then be aware that only the member can pay with a card.

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