The new Costco store opened on September 28, with hundreds of fans queuing to get into the store on its first day and a number of people camping overnight. Costco t-shirts and tattoos were sported, with some travelling as far as Invercargill and Tauranga to be first in the store. A week later, the queues do not seem to be dying down anytime soon.
Products were notably larger than what is currently available in New Zealand. Best Foods Mayonnaise that is traditionally 405g could be purchased in a 1.9 litre tub. Mother Natures Oaty Slices are sold in supermarkets in packs of six, but could be found in packs of 36 instead.
“It's also the result of a lot of really hard work by my employees and our vendors here in New Zealand as well,” said Patrick Noone, Managing Director, to 1News.
A number of American brands are also available in New Zealand for the first time, including Costco’s own Kirkland, Pepperidge Farm’s Baked Goldfish Crackers and Everything But the Bagel Seasoning.
Throughout the store, the traditional international Costco signage has been used, but it is the first store to also feature te reo Māori.
“We wanted to do this as integrating into the culture of New Zealand. We see a lot of others using Māori words. It makes sense because it makes us part of the New Zealand retail landscape. We've also learned how to say some of the words. We aim to be a good corporate citizen,” said Noone to the New Zealand Herald.
Christchurch, Wellington and South Auckland are all options for a second Costco store.
