Hundreds attend Costco’s newest store opening in Ardeer

The popular retailer has opened the doors to its newest location, with shoppers lining up from 6am to get inside and trolleys piled sky high.

A popular retailer has opened the doors of its newest mega store more than a year after it closed the doors to its first-ever Australian store.

Costco officially opened its $18 million Ardeer warehouse on Wednesday after shutting down its Docklands location in early 2024 and announcing a future relocation – and fans were quick to rush in to check it out, queuing outside from as early as 6am.

TikTok user @lifeofemily94 shared a clip taken inside the brand new Ardeer Costco, where hundreds of people appeared to be waiting in line for the checkout with huge trolleys filled to the brim with products.

Others were seen trying to weave their way through the waiting customers to continue shopping.

“If you need a reason not to go to the new Costco Ardeer store today, this is it. This is wild,” she said over the video.

Emily told news.com.au that the store was a “great addition to the west”, but the downside was the amount of traffic it created in the area and the number of customers in the store who were careless with trolleys.

Another image Emily took of the store. Picture: Supplied

Some were surprised at the amount of attention the store opening drew.

“It’s like Pandamart all again,” one social media user commented.

Another added: “Why are they acting like it’s the only Costco.”

“I’m so confused. There’s a Costco 20 mins down the road from me and is never busy. What’s going on,” someone else asked.

One social media user commented: “When will it not be chaotic? I wanna go but not with this many people.”

“Love how all these Aussies will fight to the death about how they hate Americans and all their food is poison but will do this to go to Costco,” one said.

Another wondered: “Was everything free or something?”

“Bro why is this just Pandamart opening the sequel,” asked someone else.

The Ardeer location replaced the first-ever Costco store in Australia, and sells products in nearly every category under the sun – apparel, appliances, automotive, bakery, deli and catering, domestics and homewares, electronics and white goods, garden, groceries, designer handbags and luggage, health and beauty, jewellery and watches, fresh meat and seafood, office, produce, seasonal decorations, snacks and confectionery, sporting goods, sundries, toys and tickets.

Some of the standout items included a 100-inch Hisense smart TV, a two-person infra-red sauna and a 7.5kg tub of Maggi gravy mix.

The store also includes a food court, a tyre centre, a hearing aid centre and an optical centre.

An annual Costco membership for individuals is $65.

Hundreds of people attending Costco's newest opening. Picture: TikTok/@lifeofemily94

The store has been more than a year in the making. Picture: TikTok/@lifeofemily94

Last year, the warehouse-style retailer announced it would be closing its popular Docklands store in order to move to Ardeer — a move fans labelled “so sad” and a “real blow”.

“This is so sad! It’s been our most shopped at Costco since opening. The location to the city is/was perfect for us. Hate the car park though! But still didn’t stop us going there,” one on social media said.

“It also brings in lots of people to the Docklands area so will be devastating for the shops and restaurants around the area. Such a pity!”

Another added: “That is the death knell for Docklands. Only reason people still go there is for Costco.”

“Docklands is and will always be a white elephant, Costco might’ve bought a bit of life to it but not enough,” another said.

Chris Tingman, Costco Country Manager, told news.com.au at the time it was done to “improve members’ experience and bring great value.”

He added: “Our focus is always to find the right location to meet our specifications so that we can ensure every warehouse is comprehensively stocked, offering a wide range of products and services of the best quality at the best possible price.”