Residents of Melbourne were left disappointed after Costco Wholesale announced that it would be relocating its outlet from Docklands to the western suburb Ardeer.
They claim that this move would negatively affect the area’s already declining urban core.
The company noted that it was always looking for the right location to ensure that its warehouses are well-stocked and that they are able to provide the best possible service.
Chris Tingman, Costco’s Country Manager, said that the company was excited to be part of the Melbourne West community and that it was the ideal place to serve the growing membership base of the area.
Costco noted that it would continue to communicate with its members through its social media channels and its website as it works on the relocation.
The company did not provide a reason for its decision to close its outlet. However, one of its customers said that the company’s decision to close its outlet was due to the high operational costs.
According to one of its customers, the company’s expenses have increased by over 500 percent in just a decade.
She said that it was unaffordable for her to continue shopping at Costco.
Many other shoppers from the inner-city areas and CBD said that the company was one of the few businesses that still remained in the area after the COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria.
One of the reasons that people were disappointed by Costco’s decision to relocate is that it would affect the already declining urban core of Docklands.
Some of them suggested that the area should be “pack up and call it a day” as it was already closed.
Others noted that the company was the only reason that people visited the area.
The Victorian government is currently working on improving the area’s underutilised condition.
It believes that it can attract more traffic than Sydney’s Circular Quay.
The downfall of Docklands started after the Central Pier was closed due to safety concerns in 2020.
It was an event space that attracted over a million people every year.