One of America’s favorite retail wholesalers, Costco, has announced its plans to open a new location in Alaska that will be unlike anything regular shoppers are used to.
Their new store will feature a showroom-like setup that will showcase many of the retailer’s big-ticket items, including electrical appliances and furniture.
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco is an American wholesale retailer typically known for its membership-only warehouses, which offer customers items in bulk.
However, the American retailer is set to stray from its traditional store setup as it aims to open a home showroom store, according to The Daily Mail.
First U.S. Location for New Showroom
The company revealed in March that the location for their first U.S. showroom would be Anchorage, Alaska.
However, the long-term plan is to see other major U.S. cities get their own Cosco showrooms.
Big-Ticket Items on Display
Reports suggest the showroom will display many of the company’s big-ticket items, such as furniture and appliances.
A Costco spokesperson says customers will be able to “kick the tires” of large items, including TVs, washing machines, grills, and wardrobes, before deciding whether or not to purchase them.
First Showroom to Open in the U.S.
The new concept store isn’t the first of its kind for Costco.
The large retailer opened their first showroom in Puerto Rico over a year ago. But the Alaskan store marks the first in the U.S.
Products in the Alaskian Showroom
The new showroom in Alaska will also allow customers to observe heavy items such as gym equipment, stoves, and fridges before ordering for delivery.
As such items are considered bulky, general Costco warehouses don’t have the space to place them on display.
Costco’s New Alaska Showroom
Costco’s Alaskan showroom will take over a former Toys R Us location.
The store is around 58,000 square feet, which is considerably smaller than the average Costco warehouse.
Costco’s Decision to Open a New Showroom
Speaking with Anchorage Daily News, Costco spokeswoman Christine Lasley explained the decision to open the new showroom.
“You can touch and feel it and kick the tires, so it’s a perfect opportunity to see what you can purchase,” she said.
This Is for the Members
According to Lasley, the retailer had the consumer in mind when it came up with a plan to open a showroom.
“We’re doing this to meet the needs of our members,” she added.
When Will the Alaska Location Open?
As it stands, no information on when the Alaska location opening date has been revealed.
The planned location currently functions as a Costco distribution center.
Plans to Renovate the New Space
Anchorage News did reveal that the former Toys R Us location will be renovated before the showroom opens.
According to their reports, Costco has already filed a permit to begin the renovations, and it will only be a matter of time before the work begins.
Part of Costco’s Future Plans
During her conversation with the Anchorage newspaper, Lasley stated more showrooms may open in the U.S. The spokeswoman revealed more locations are already planned out.
If the stores experience significant success, many more will open across the U.S. in the coming years.
