ISSAQUAH, WA - Two years ago, we reported on Costco’s plans to debut its first warehouse in France. Now that dream may soon become a reality, according to the Seattle Times.
The Seattle Times reports that Costco’s first French warehouse will possibly open next spring in a Parisian suburb known as Villebon-sur-Yvette. Regulators previously approved a 120,000 square foot warehouse in the area in May 2014, but opposition from rivals had pushed the estimated opening date from late 2015 to spring 2016.
As we previously reported in 2013, Costco hoped to open 15 stores in France within a decade, with up to 6 in the Paris region. Other areas of interest included Bordeaux, Marseille, Toulouse, Lyon, and Nice.
In 2013, Gary Swindells, President of Costco France, stated that he foresees 5 to 6 stores in five years, then 10 to 15 in ten years, and around 25 in twenty years. Whether those plans are still in motion will remain to be seen.
Jim Murphy, Costco’s head of international operations, told the Seattle Times that the company would wait “until we have something firm to discuss” before discussing any details regarding its French operations.
How Costco will fare in a market where there’s not quite any other retailer like it will be interesting to see. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow Costco’s plans for France.
