Global bulk discount retailer, Costco, has announced that it is coming to New Zealand. The US Giant has worked with the New Zealand Retail Property Group (NZRPG) and secured a site at Westgate in Auckland’s North West. Costco is the world’s second-largest retailer having been founded in the USA and having almost 800 warehouses worldwide including 11 in Australia, where it has been operating since 2009.
The Westgate warehouse will offer the global super chain’s full format and include a Costco fuel station, tyre centre, food court, optometrist, hearing aid services along with groceries and homewares.
The Westgate Costco warehouse will be approximately 14,000m2 and provide more than 800 carparks, costing approximately $90 million dollars. The new warehouse will create an estimated 350 new full-time equivalent jobs for the North West Auckland community.
The site is located within the Westgate Town Centre, one of New Zealand’s largest master planned urbanisation projects which has been developed by NZRPG over the last twenty years. Westgate is at the heart of the transformation of Auckland’s Northwest with Costco set to complement the massive developments which have been completed and remain underway
NZRPG General Manager Campbell Barbour, said “Having Costco identify Westgate as the right place for it to establish in New Zealand is a real coup for the Town Centre, our company, and the community. Costco delivers a range of products – from day-to- day groceries to clothing and electronics – at heavily discounted prices for its members, I think it is a game changer, both in terms of Westgate and the general retail landscape.”
Costco Wholesale Australia Managing Director Patrick Noone has been with Costco for 28 years and said that the company was very pleased to have found such an ideal site for its New Zealand launch.
Having held his current role since the retailer launched in Australia around ten years ago, Noone said Costco’s Westgate warehouse announcement marks another significant milestone for the company, reinforcing the company’s continued global expansion.
“Our member’s choose to shop with us because they know that they are going to get the highest quality products at the best possible price. Members are also able to buy everything from fresh food and electronics to clothing and cleaning supplies, all in one warehouse. There is also the added value of our specialty departments, such as our optical centre, hearing aid centre, tyre centre and fuel station.” said Noone.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said the launch of the world-leading retailer at Westgate further establishes Auckland as a growing international city. “Auckland Council has identified Westgate as a key metropolitan area and invested significantly in its development, helping to attract international brands that give Aucklanders retail choice and creating hundreds of local jobs.”
“The Northwest is a remarkable growth story – it serves established residential areas such as Henderson, Massey and Hobsonville, as well as the future urban areas like Red Hills and Whenuapai where Council is working with the Government to accelerate the building of around 7,000 new houses.” said Goff.
“We add a layer of competition to the market and extend the choice of the consumer. We also offer a value statement to our members, which has helped us to authenticate and build trust in Costco” he said.
