Costco Opens $55m Warehouse in Airport Retail Precinct

West Australians will be getting their first Costco discount warehouse outlet after the US retail giant joined forces with Perth Airport for the $55 million project.

Pending approvals, construction on the 14,000sq m building could begin next year and be open to members for shopping in 2020.

It is estimated that the project will generate up to 200 construction jobs and up to 275 retail jobs when operating.

Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone said that given Perth Airport’s proximity to the CBD, transport links, and the way it is growing into a consumer-focussed retail hub that it was an obvious place for Costco to invest.

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Last August, Perth Airport unveiled the $150 million DFO premium outlet development to be funded by Vicinity Centres and Perth Airport, which is due to be opened in a central location on the Perth Airport precinct in 2018.

Perth Airport chief commercial officer Steven Holden said the Costco commitment underlined the increasing strategic importance of Perth Airport as a commercial precinct.

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“The non-aviation development of the Perth Airport estate is delivering significant benefits to Perth through new investment and new jobs,” Holden said.

“Despite the slowdown of the WA economy, Perth Airport has been able to attract new projects by focussing on the needs of commercial organisations and building on the obvious advantages of our location.

“Costco will be a welcome addition to the Airport West Retail Park which will be situated next to the DFO, creating one of Perth’s premium destination retail locations. We are confident other major projects will soon follow their lead.”

The Perth Costco will include a petrol station, optical centre, hearing aid centre and tyre centre.

Costco currently has 749 stores world-wide.