Costco has new competition in town with Metcash launching its bulk purchase wholesale warehouse called Value Depot.
The first 7,000 square metre Value Depot has opened at Eagle Farm in Brisbane. The new concept will be rolled across the country at new sites, as well as conversions of many of the 18 existing Campbells Cash and Carry (CCC) outlets, which currently services more than 170,000 registered customers across Australia.
Value Depot will be open to all customers who have an ABN, unlike CCC where customers had to be in the traditional hospitality reseller business.
Customers will also not be charged an annual membership fee, giving Value Depot an automatic advantage over Costco who charges it’s customers an annual fee from $55.
“Value Depot redefines the bulk wholesale warehouse concept in Australia offering a great range and cheap prices to both consumers and re-sellers,” Andrew Reitzer, Metcash CEO, said.
“The opening effectively re-launches the Campbells’ brand in Australia and will re-engage our traditional base of independent retailers and operators who want to buy in bulk at great prices for their own outlets.”
Value Depot will stock over 10,000 lines and will offer access to over 35,000 products in dry grocery, fast moving consumer goods, general merchandise and fresh food, matching or beating the price of the national chains and offering strong discounts with bulk purchases. It also features stores within the store, including a confectionery outlet Sweet Spot; Catering Connection for hospitality operators; Baby Boulevard; Auto Car Care; Fresh and a large general merchandise section.
“Value Depot will deliver a total solution for small operators, especially those in hospitality and convenience sectors, who can order almost all the stock and merchandise they need through a one stop shop,” Reitzer said.