Costco open day Melbourne: crazy scenes as chain opens its doors

COSTCO stores in Ringwood, Moorabbin and Docklands have been hit by a shopping frenzy this morning as hundreds queue to get in — but some existing members of the wholesale shopping giant might not be happy about the reason.

THERE were crazy scenes at retail giant Costco across Melbourne this morning as eager shoppers thronged the stores for non-members day.

Costco told the Leader it was still collating numbers but a spokeswoman said there were “huge crowds at our three Melbourne stores this morning.”

Costco to open its doors to Melbourne shoppers for one day

Thousands took advantage of the one-day only chance to Christmas shop on wholesale prices usually reserved for Costco members.

Shoppers queue outside Costco in Moorabbin this morning. Picture: Facebook

The wholesale chain has opened up to non-members for one day only. Picture: Supplied

Members pay $55 per year for business membership and $60 for gold star membership to shop at the huge warehouses and buy everything from coffins to groceries at wholesale cost.

Costco opened its doors in Australia at Melbourne’s Docklands in 2009 and in 2013 the Ringwood store opened in Bond St, followed two years later by the 3,750sq m Moorabbin Airport warehouse.

Anyone attending today’s come-and-try event who then signs up for membership will be offered a hamper full of Costco products worth more than $100.

“I turned up couldn’t get a park and the queue to get in was miles long. I didn’t even bother staying,” one shopper posted on Facebook.

The event runs until 8.30pm at all Costco stores in Melbourne, so there’s still time to get along.