Costco store in Docklands set to close due to high costs

A major retailer in Melbourne’s already struggling Docklands precinct is set to close, in what the community has described as a “real blow” to the area.

Costco is set to close its store in Docklands, Melbourne. Picture: Getty

A major retailer in Melbourne’s already struggling Docklands precinct is set to close up shop in the area.

It is understood the store will be relocating somewhere else in Victoria. It is unsure when Costco will officially close to the public.

A staff member at the store told a shopper the relocation was due to council and state government changes which have seen the cost of operating soar.

“Costco at the extreme end of Docklands is preparing to vacate due to the increasing in expenses due to Melbourne City Council and our state government,” a caller told 3aw.

“Their outgoings apparently have gone up over 500 per cent in just over 10 years which has made it totally unaffordable.”

The caller said it was a “real blow” for people who live in the inner city.

“(We’re) going to (have to go to) whoop whoop if we want to go to Costco,” she said.

“Costco was a shopping landmark because you could park there, you could do your shopping before or after, you might go for a bite to eat. It’s going to be a total graveyard there.”

Costco first 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.

It later opened a store in Epping in 2018.