Santa Rosa mayor John Sawyer, Costco general manager Kim Silva Hutson and Casey councillor Steve Beardon prepare to tour the store. By Glen Atwell
COUNCILLOR Steve Beardon believes a Costco in Casey is a no-brainer after meeting store executives and touring an outlet in the United States on 1 August.
The Mayfield Ward representative presented Costco general manage Kim Silva Hutson with an information pack encouraging the international chain to set up shop in Casey.
Cr Beardon spent a day with Santa Rosa mayor John Sawyer and Ms Silva Hutson at the city’s Costco during a self-funded trip to speak at an anti-graffiti conference.
Costco is a retail membership club that sells quality products, in bulk, at highly discounted prices to its members.
Bargain hunters in the US pay a $50 annual membership fee to shop at Costco, and in return can buy a range of quality products, including groceries, gadgets and whitegoods at a discount rate of around 15 per cent.
Cr Beardon said a Costco in Casey would increase competitiveness and lower the price of groceries and fuel.
“A Costco will force supermarkets and petrol retailers to lower their prices,” he said. “That’s what this country needs, real competition and an end to the monopolies.
“Cranbourne residents are doing it tough and a Costco will mean lower petrol and food prices, and a boom in employment.”
Cr Beardon said local families could save hundreds of dollars by buying a month’s supply of groceries at a Costco.
The Santa Rosa Costco store attracts between 10,000 and 12,000 customers every day.
With 529 stores around the world, 136,000 employees and an annual turnover of around $65 billion, Costco is the eighth-largest retailer in the world.
On 20 June, Costco announced it would open its first Australian store at Waterfront City in Docklands.
In late July, Costco representative Patrick Noone met with City of Casey director of planning and development services Peter Fitchett, manager of strategic development Liam Hodgetts, council business development staff and councillors Beardon and Lorraine Wreford.
