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Now this is going to make all supermarkets and major retailers very very nervous. Costco has just revealed plans to launch an online service, which could change the whole way we shop.

Costco is well on its way in constructing its gynormous distribution centre in Kemps Creek, West of Central Sydney. the warehouse will be the size of 17 footie fields and is designed to service all their stores as well as their online division, as reported in Nine News.

The building, which is costing $78 million, will be finished in March 2019 and we can expect Costco Online soon after that. Nine News reports that this facility will create close to 1,000 jobs for Sydney’s west.

The Membership Is Steep If You Don’t Live Close

I’ve always been keen to shop at Costco but we live quite far away from all three of Sydney stores and purchasing the $60 annual membership for an occasional shop just doesn’t seem worth it.

But once they offer an online option, I’m definitely going to give it a go.

“Everything we do makes people change. The warehouse concept wasn’t here 10 years ago so we’ve had some impact on the retail scene,” Costco Australia General Manager, Patrick Noone, told Nine News.

Exclusive Online Offer

To shop Costco online, you’ll still need to sign-up as a member but it’s expected that there will be exclusive online offers for furniture, appliances and other popular buys.

Mr Noone says it’s too early to say what model will be used here but they’re looking at adopting the most effective model from their overseas sites.

“We’ll look at either rolling it into the price or adding it on top,” he said of the delivery fees.

“It’ll make Costco available for everyone in the country from Perth to Darwin to Hobart.”

The $60 membership fee is not expected to increase with the launch of the online store.

Success Is Expected

Retail analyst Neil Rechlin, partner at the NextGen Group, expects Costco online to be far more successful and have a bigger impact not just on our supermarkets, but on retailers such as Harvey Norman and JB HiFi.

“The size of the basket Costco sells means they can make home shopping work versus Woolworths and Coles, and then the Harvey Normans, the JB HiFis and Good Guys will be put on notice on price points on electricals.

“All the innovation in the market is putting downward price pressure on groceries, electricals, household goods. This will be another large downward pressure on price.

“Definitely a win for the consumer, increased choice and better prices.”

Costco will be opening three new outlets throughout Australia over the next year.

Do you shop at Costco? Tell us in the comments below.

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  • I am considering getting a costco membership in SA. This is great.

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  • Don’t have one anywhere near us so that’s a no from me.

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  • At some Costco there is also a members only Servo where you get discounted fuel – often a lot cheaper than other cheap service stations. I know a family who have 2 cars and fill up their cars when they go past there – sometimes so do a small detour. The distance they travel for work they have saved a lot of money on fuel. Shift work means that one way there is no public transport available. It depends how much of some items you use. If you use special UHT Milk and other products for dietary needs most are cheaper than the supermarkets even when the they have them on special

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  • I’ve been wanting this for a while, always wanted a delivery service for them as I can’t get to the store without a car. Their was a service that delivers some of their items but this will be really cool. Looking forward to this.

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  • If the delivery fees are reasonable, I’d LOVE this.

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  • I can’t wait for this,
    I actually don’t enjoy going to Costco with the big trolleys and it being so crowded

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  • The store is not close to me but online sounds like a good option for us.

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  • I’ve never been to a Costco as there isn’t one where I live. I do my grocery shopping online and will be keen to have a look at their website.

    Reply

  • I prefer to see what I buy and have no place to store bulk buys.
    No this doesn’t attract me, all locations are half a hour or more away from us.


    • I like to see it in store too – It is good for exercise and getting out and being active too. I always like to see an item.

    Reply

  • I’m very excited for online. Especially those big ticket purchases that make delivery a blessing

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  • It will be interesting if this takes off in a big way/

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  • Ohhhh a new Costco just opened near me…
    I wonder if I will make more impulse purchases if I shopped online.
    I heard that Ikea is going online too…

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  • I prefer to get out exercise and shop in stores. Costco is good for bulk purchases. Online will no don’t work for many but not my preferred choice – I prefer customer service.

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  • not worth the membership for us as we are an hour away, membership + fuel + parking = more than supermarket costs but my parents go a lot and love it we tag along every now and then

    Reply

  • Have not shopped in Costco as it is not in WA. Have heard of it, think it is like Campbells to shop from. Be interesting to see what the online shopping is like from Costco.

    Reply

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