Eat Like No One Else: Why no Costco....here?

[mikebell]

Ditto for having Aldi here.  The problem remains; Thailand is dominated by family monopolies that have price-fixing cartels that keep out rivals; and it's not just food suppliers either.

[AdrianK]

Some of you might know that It has already been tried here under the guise of "Top's club" trialled in Central Rama 2 over a year ago.

 

The business model was based heavily on the Costco model, and indeed many of the products were Kirkland branded products. Layout was the same, staff uniforms were the same, but product range weighed more towards food rather than non food items. However the non food items were typical Costco other than electrical.

The investment appears to have been enormous, and I suspect there was some tie up with Costco, but the prices were not as attractive as they should have been [maybe import duty?]

It was tried for over a year, but did not attract the level of customers  it should have done, and it was closed after a one year trial.

 

My wife and I both miss it, as it was the closest to the "Costco experience" you get in Thailand.,,,brave try though, and well done to the Central Group.

 

 

[Klong Song]

There was a Costco in Bangkok. I think it was out Rama 2 way, too far away for me and a bad location in my opinion. I think it was operated by Tops ( the Central group) but closed down after being open for a short time possibly for a lack of people desiring to buy in bulk. I saw Kirkland products in my local Tops for awhile, I’ll have to check again to see if they still have some things on the shelves. 

[Yagoda]

Plenty of Kirkland products in MBK. Plenty of Kirkland products in Angkor market in Siem.

 

Costco is too big for Thailand

[jas007]

2 hours ago, jimmybcool said:

I am a member of Costco.  I shop at the Scottsdale Arizona store.  I've "heard" it is the largest liquor retailer in the USA.  Looking at the vast space filled with beer, wine and liquor I can believe it.  About 6 years ago they had one of my favorite scotch on sale.  Balvenie 14 year Caribbean Cask for I think $55.  I called a fellow friend who also appreciates the fine work our Scottish distillers put in and we paid a visit walking out with 10 bottles each. 

 

Also a better deal on gasoline (petrol) and they sell a hot dog lunch or pizza slice for a loss.  You read that right.  They lose money on them.  Gets people in the store and man is it hard to not spend when in there.

 

I used to shop at the Costco on Hayden Road, up near Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.  Nice store.  I never could understand why people were willing to wait in such long lines just to save a little on gas.  Then again, I never drove much and had a little car, so it wasn't big deal for me.

 

For those who don't know, Costco stores are huge and have a little bit of everything, but much of what they sell is for people who like to buy in bulk.  For example, you can probably buy pickles in two gallon jugs.  Or shampoo by the half gallon.  Or toothpaste in packs of six.  And they do have an excellent wine department.  Good stuff. 

[LALes]

The only Kirkland products brought into Thailand are dry goods which are much cheaper to ship.  Meats and seafood that need refrigeration are too expensive.  I'm sure the political climate here has a lot do with Costco taking a pass on Thailand.  I'd kill for a Costco dog.  Nothing in Thailand comes close.