New Zealand’s first Costco store has opened, an hour earlier than expected, in Westgate in Auckland.
Some shoppers camped out to be among the first through the doors when they opened at 7am on Wednesday and some slept outside the shop overnight.
A spokesperson said it “usually happens” with Costco openings. But Patrick Noone, Costco’s New Zealand managing director, said he had not seen people camping outside a new outlet since the first Australian store opened.
He said there were 200 staff working and about 20 had been brought in from Australia to help train staff on the first day.
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The bulk retailer sells everything from food and clothing to tyres – including diamond rings and coffins.
Among the $24 million worth of goods, New Zealand brands are also on display.
Noone said some local brands included Two Islands, Manuka Health, and Canterbury of NZ, although the latter was actually owned by a British company called Pentland Group.
To shop at Costco, or even enter the building, you need to be a member. Individuals pay $60 a year for the Gold Star Membership, while businesses pay $55.
A duo who had camped out the night before in order to be one of the first in the door said they hoped Costco would lead to more affordable essentials “across the board” and introduce new competition.
On woman, who claimed she was the first person in New Zealand to sign up for the Costco membership said the retail giant was the “best thing ever” to come to New Zealand.
“It’s going to be good for our economy, because New Zealand retail, we’re being ripped off so much so Costco will be fabulous.”
A 1kg bunch of bananas was $2.99 at Costco on Wednesday..
A 1kg punnet of New Zealand gourmet campari tomatoes was $19.99 – similar to the price of loose tomatoes on supermarket shelves at the moment.
A 3kg box of local truss tomatoes was $39.99.
Two kilograms worth of jazz apples at Costco was $8.99, while 2kgs of royal gala from Pak ‘n Save was $7.98.
There were no loose carrots or broccoli – instead there was 1kg of pre-packaged broccoli florets for $26.99 and a 3kg bag of carrots for $5.99.
In the meat department, a 3kg pack of premium ground beef, which needed to be used within 24 hours or frozen, was $36.76, or $11.99 a kg. At Pak ‘n Save it is $21.99 a kg.
New Zealand free-range chicken drumsticks were $5.49 a kg at Costco while Pak ‘n Save had drumsticks for $4.49 a kg.
A Kirkland-brand rotisserie chicken, which is made in New Zealand but labeled under the Costco brand, was $7.99.
Two 700g packs of bacon were selling for $19.99.
In the dairy fridge, two 500g blocks of Mainland unsalted butter were $14.98 or $1.50 per 100g, which was six cents cheaper than Pak ‘n Save.
Kirkland’s milk, which is made in New Zealand, was $5.29 for 3l, while a 3l homebrand bottle at Pak ‘n Save was $5.69.
In the canned aisle, 12 tins of Watties baked beans was $18.99 or 38 cents per 100g, while Edgell chickpeas were $13.98 for a tray of 10 cans.
A 25kg sack of white sugar was $39.99, but you would need pantry space to store it.
A 1.9 litre tub of Best Foods Mayonnaise was $16.99 or 89 cents per 100ml. A 1.29kg tub from Countdown was usually $25, but was on special for $20 on Wednesday.
Boxes of Huggies nappies were $68.99 or $0.34 per nappy, while Alula baby formulas were $28.99.
A box of 36 bars of Mother Earth Baked Oat Slices was $16.99, or $1.18 per 100g. At Countdown it was $3.70 for six, or $1.36 per 100g.
A 60-pack of Farmer Brown cage-free eggs was $21.99.The biggest tray you could get at Countdown was 30 eggs, and was $15.90.
Toilet paper was one of the most popular items on opening morning. Kirkland’s 3ply, 48-pack of toilet paper was $39.99, or $0.31 per 100 sheets.
A lot of the fresh produce, including its bakery foods, butchery meat, fruit and fish, would be local.
One shopper, Donna Stevenson, said she had come to see the fresh produce but had a trolley full of Christmas decorations. “I wasn’t going to come because I can’t deal with crowds,” she said.
But she said her son had convinced her.
The Ministry of Social Development said Costco had hired 44 people off benefits.
“Costco provides opportunities for people who want to build a career in merchandising and warehouse operation," Glenn Mckay, regional commissioner, said.
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