Crowds force Costco to shut maiden China store early on opening day

[F-22Raptor]

U.S. wholesale chain Costco was forced to shut its first store in China early on its opening day on Tuesday, according to state media, after large crowds flocked through the door and caused traffic jams in the Shanghai neighborhood.

Videos posted on Chinese social media showed thousands of people crowding the aisles of the store in Shanghai’s Minhang district, while signs outside warned incoming shoppers that they might have to wait three hours to park.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1166292854060113920

One nearby school sent out an advisory to parents warning them about the traffic conditions. “Please expect the student dismissal this afternoon to be severely delayed due to the grand opening of Costco Supermarket,” said the message.

The Paper, a media outlet run by the Shanghai government, reported on social media at 2:43 p.m. that the store had shut early, citing the local district government.

“Due to the extremely large crowds at the newly opened supermarket, for the safety of the public we urge that residents consume in a rational manner and choose to go shopping at an off-peak time,” it quoted government officials as saying.

Costco did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment.


Costco announced last month that it would open its first store in China. It first entered the country in 2014 through opening an online store on Alibaba Groups’ Tmall online marketplace.

Its busy first day came as other big-name Western retailers such as Amazon, Tesco and Carrefour, are retreating from China having struggled to win market share in the face of strong competition from domestic rivals.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/27/fir...ts-down-early-on-opening-day-amid-crowds.html

 

[Nan Yang]

Usually opening day you get a lot of freebies. Just wait a few days and nobody will go.

 

[Sabretooth]

Chinese have got the taste for American consumerism now. It is insatiable.

 

[lcloo]

I have been to Walmart in China and 90% of goods are made in China, 10% or less are imports from mainly South East Asia, with only fruits and beef from USA.

Chinese loves new store, new brands and new ideas, but after a while they move on to others.

Chinese have got the taste for American consumerism now. It is insatiable.

Nothing new, Costco is 20 years late compare with Walmart, Carrefour, Parkson and others.

 

[Zsari]

U.S. wholesale chain Costco was forced to shut its first store in China early on its opening day on Tuesday, according to state media, after large crowds flocked through the door and caused traffic jams in the Shanghai neighborhood.

Videos posted on Chinese social media showed thousands of people crowding the aisles of the store in Shanghai’s Minhang district, while signs outside warned incoming shoppers that they might have to wait three hours to park.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1166292854060113920

One nearby school sent out an advisory to parents warning them about the traffic conditions. “Please expect the student dismissal this afternoon to be severely delayed due to the grand opening of Costco Supermarket,” said the message.

The Paper, a media outlet run by the Shanghai government, reported on social media at 2:43 p.m. that the store had shut early, citing the local district government.

“Due to the extremely large crowds at the newly opened supermarket, for the safety of the public we urge that residents consume in a rational manner and choose to go shopping at an off-peak time,” it quoted government officials as saying.

Costco did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment.


Costco announced last month that it would open its first store in China. It first entered the country in 2014 through opening an online store on Alibaba Groups’ Tmall online marketplace.

Its busy first day came as other big-name Western retailers such as Amazon, Tesco and Carrefour, are retreating from China having struggled to win market share in the face of strong competition from domestic rivals.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/27/fir...ts-down-early-on-opening-day-amid-crowds.html

Didn't Trump order US companies to get out of China? How dare Costco.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

U.S. wholesale chain Costco was forced to shut its first store in China early on its opening day on Tuesday, according to state media, after large crowds flocked through the door and caused traffic jams in the Shanghai neighborhood.

Videos posted on Chinese social media showed thousands of people crowding the aisles of the store in Shanghai’s Minhang district, while signs outside warned incoming shoppers that they might have to wait three hours to park.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1166292854060113920

One nearby school sent out an advisory to parents warning them about the traffic conditions. “Please expect the student dismissal this afternoon to be severely delayed due to the grand opening of Costco Supermarket,” said the message.

The Paper, a media outlet run by the Shanghai government, reported on social media at 2:43 p.m. that the store had shut early, citing the local district government.

“Due to the extremely large crowds at the newly opened supermarket, for the safety of the public we urge that residents consume in a rational manner and choose to go shopping at an off-peak time,” it quoted government officials as saying.

Costco did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment.


Costco announced last month that it would open its first store in China. It first entered the country in 2014 through opening an online store on Alibaba Groups’ Tmall online marketplace.

Its busy first day came as other big-name Western retailers such as Amazon, Tesco and Carrefour, are retreating from China having struggled to win market share in the face of strong competition from domestic rivals.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/27/fir...ts-down-early-on-opening-day-amid-crowds.html

No free drink refills at their food court that’s for sure!!

they seem to be in many countries

Hmm could this wholesaler be next..

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

I have been to Walmart in China and 90% of goods are made in China, 10% or less are imports from mainly South East Asia, with only fruits and beef from USA.

Chinese loves new store, new brands and new ideas, but after a while they move on to others.


Nothing new, Costco is 20 years late compare with Walmart, Carrefour, Parkson and others.

Well Costco makes their money on membership fees and sells their products at “cost”.

For the Chinese this will be a goldmine as they’ll simply share the single membership fee among 100 relatives. One guy will shop for all 100. So this may not work in China.

This system with wholesalers works great in the US as you can buy stuff at wholesale prices. 70 inch tv for around $200.

 

[lcloo]

Well Costco makes their money on membership fees and sells their products at “cost”.

For the Chinese this will be a goldmine as they’ll simply share the single membership fee among 100 relatives. One guy will shop for all 100. So this may not work in China.

This system with wholesalers works great in the US as you can buy stuff at wholesale prices. 70 inch tv for around $200.

That sounds like Sam's Club, a similar set up which I had membership in their China Shenzhen outlet about 15 years ago. They were doing whole sale and single item sales to members at low prices (wholesale prices?), and was larger than Walmart Shenzhen in floor area.

 

[Beast]

The store maybe ban in just few days time, If trade war goes ugly. See how they are going to sell later.

 

[Dungeness]

Well Costco makes their money on membership fees and sells their products at “cost”.

For the Chinese this will be a goldmine as they’ll simply share the single membership fee among 100 relatives. One guy will shop for all 100. So this may not work in China.

This system with wholesalers works great in the US as you can buy stuff at wholesale prices. 70 inch tv for around $200.

Seriously, your "knowledge" about China, probably from some asylum seekers decades ago, is in urgent need for an update. You think 199/299 RMB is still a big money nowadays in China? You may think you are insulting Chinese, but it just shows you are old and out.

And you should be thankful to China for $200 70" TV.

 

[Smarana Mitra]

Didn't Trump order US companies to get out of China? How dare Costco.

Trump ordered manufacturing Companies to move out of China, not retail or service companies

 

[Zsari]

Trump ordered manufacturing Companies to move out of China, not retail or service companies

You need to reread his tweet. Besides, without the manufacturing, you think China will let the US retail and service companies to remain there?

 

[CHN Bamboo]

I hope Costco would open a store in Xi'an, preferably near my university, so that I don't have to walk several kilometers to Walmart every time I shop.

 

[Smarana Mitra]

You need to reread his tweet. Besides, without the manufacturing, you think China will let the US retail and service companies to remain there?

You need to understand the intentions. Tweet has word limit and hence has to be made concise. But reality is that USA wants manufacturing to be out of China while it wants China to buy goods and services from USA based companies.

It is a different issue if China will allow USA companies to function in China if USA doesn't allow Chinese to manufacture

 

[8888888888888]

You need to understand the intentions. Tweet has word limit and hence has to be made concise. But reality is that USA wants manufacturing to be out of China while it wants China to buy goods and services from USA based companies.

It is a different issue if China will allow USA companies to function in China if USA doesn't allow Chinese to manufacture

Trump can't make USA companies get out of China even manufacturing ones.