Hong Kong shoppers are crossing the border into Shenzhen to buy croissants and rotisserie chickens at China's newest Costco (2024)
China has fallen in love with Costco, as evidenced by the uproarious response to its new Shenzhen location, which has already prompted cross-border pilgrimages and sparked store-centric travel packages since opening earlier this year.
More than 140,000 customers have visited China's newest Costco since it opened in mid-January, a spokesperson for Costco told Business Insider, and buzz for the big-box store only continues to grow in the region.
Opening day alone saw more than 10,000 customers, according to the company spokesperson. Photos from the scene showed long lines and huge crowds as customers weaved in and out of the outlet's towering aisles.
The new outlet is located in the city of Shenzhen, a southeastern metropolis that links China's mainland to Hong Kong, offering residents of the special administrative region the rare chance to get lost in the aisles of a retail giant — after they cross the border from Hong Kong into mainland China.
A spokesperson for Costco said the Lunar New Year last month brought in scores of Costco customers, including those who made the trek from Hong Kong and particularly enjoyed being able to buy fruits, snacks, and other imported food products.
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The most popular items purchased at the store, according to a spokesperson, are foodstuffs like butter croissants, muffins, rum pastries, rotisserie chickens, and the Shenzhen-exclusive Jumbo Bulgogi Bake.
Large bulk stores are a rarity in Hong Kong due to the city's limited space and expensive culture.
Obsession with the new Shenzhen location comes as Hong Kong's massive retail market undergoes a shake-up, with wealthier locals fleeing the city and poorer Hong Kong residents searching for affordability.
Hong Kong's economic struggles, however, have created the perfect circ*mstances for Shenzhen Costco to thrive. The store has become a popular shopping destination for both Hong Kong residents and other tourists in the region, according to a recent Bloomberg article.
More than 15,000 Hong Kong residents have already signed up for a Costco membership, the outlet reported, and both Costco and the country are jumping on board to help facilitate future visits.
Costco has organized several shuttle buses each day that run between the Shenzhen store and Hong Kong, according to a company spokesperson. Costco is also partnering with cross-border delivery companies that pack and ship items purchased by Hong Kong residents.
The Shenzhen location is working with tech company Tencent Holdings LTD's WeChat Pay HK, which is giving out coupons and cash vouchers via the e-wallet to help customers with Hong Kong-based bank accounts make purchases in the mainland, Bloomberg reported.
A Taiwan-based travel agency is offering a vacation package that includes three hours of shopping at the Shenzhen Costco, a membership to the store and a five-star hotel stay for about $78 per person, Bloomberg reported.
Though separated from Hong Kong by the 37km-long Sham Chun River, Shenzhen is just an easy train, bus or car ride away. As of 2023, there are six major cross-boundary checkpoints, and you can reach them by public transport from almost anywhere in Hong Kong. Take your pick!
So you can get your fix of fresh meat, fish, groceries, deli items, baked goods, frozen foods, alcohol, snacks, toys, household appliances, homewares, clothing, jewelry, and beauty products at competitive prices! Costco's private label line, Kirkland Signature is also available!
Where is the Shenzhen Costco and how to get there. To get to the new warehouse, hop on Shenzhen Metro Line 4 or 6 to reach Hongshan Station and take exit B to walk to the store. Alternatively, you can taxi it from Shenzhenbei (Shenzhen North) Railway Station, which will take you around 10 minutes or so.
Once confirmed you do need a visa for Shenzhen from Hong Kong, eligible foreign visitors may apply a Shenzhen 5-Day Special Economic Tourist Visa on arrival at appointed border ports. Or you can apply a regular China Visa from overseas Chinese Embassy/Consulate beforehand.
Traveling by train is always a memorable experience and a great way to explore a new place. What it comes to traveling between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, taking a train is also the fastest way to travel between the cities as the whole journey takes no more than 15 minutes.
Your membership card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide and is not transferable. You will be required to show your membership card when entering any Costco warehouse and when checking out at a payment register.
Costco's store in Shenzhen, China, has been attracting a large number of customers since it opened. The store's popularity is driven by Hong Kong residents crossing the border to shop in mainland China. Tour agencies in the region are even organizing Costco-centered vacation packages.
Shenzhen is a global center in technology, research, manufacturing, business and economics, finance, tourism and transportation, and the Port of Shenzhen is the world's fourth busiest container port.
When you visit a Costco warehouse, you'll discover all the valuable savings we have to offer. As a nonmember, you may still purchase prescriptions from a Costco pharmacy with cash, debit, Costco Shop Cards or a Visa® card. However, you must be a paid member to enter the warehouse and purchase any other items.
Yes, you can. Costco outlines its member privileges and conditions on its website. The retailer notes that your Costco membership is valid at any Costco location worldwide. If you move out of the country or travel internationally, you can bring your membership card and shop at Costco.
Costco is mainly owned by institutional investors, who own over 70% of shares. The largest shareholders in December 2023 are: The Vanguard Group (9.10%) BlackRock (6.90%)
What attracts many Chinese shoppers to the new COSTCO store is its very attractive price for some high quality products, from luxury bags to imported fresh seafood. Providing value for good quality products is always one key attraction for Chinese shoppers. Products counts.
The complex will feature around 4,000 brand-name products sourced from both domestic and international suppliers, including fresh meat, fish, groceries, deli items, bakery goods, frozen foods, liquor, snacks, toys, household appliances, housewares, hardware, apparel, jewelry, and cosmetics.
Costco, American operator of discount stores of the type known as warehouse clubs or wholesale clubs, in which bulk quantities of merchandise are sold at deeply discounted prices to club members who pay an annual membership fee. It is one of the largest retailers in the world. Costco is based in Issaquah, Washington.
Visa-free transit through China is permitted, from 24 hours to 144 hours depending on location. See China Visa Application Centre for more information. If you visit Hong Kong from mainland China and want to return to the mainland, you need a visa that allows you to make a second entry into China.
The Boundaries of Hong Kong, officially the Boundary of the Administrative Division of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国香港特别行政区行政区域界线; traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國香港特別行政區行政區域界綫), is a regulated administrative border with border control in force ...
Visitors of other nationalities, as well as residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, are required to obtain either a visa or a permit prior to arrival, depending on their nationality.
Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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