Costco has given the green light to a wider rollout of forecourts following a successful trial.
The wholesaler opened a test forecourt in Liverpool last June and is now ready to roll the concept out across its UK estate, The Grocer has learned.
It is set to open its second petrol station at the end of August in Oldham and has just gain planning approval for a third at its Bristol warehouse. It plans to start work in August and open by Christmas.
Costco also has a further two planning applications in the pipeline.
“We have now been open for 13 months at Liverpool and are pleased with its performance so far. We have received great feedback from our members,” said Costco director of international real estate Nick Deeks.
“Wherever we can, the fuel station will be located adjacent to the warehouse on site.”
Costco currently has 26 trading warehouse with two others under construction. “We will choose which warehouses we plan to locate fuel stations as we go,” Deeks said.
The majority of Costco’s warehouse sites would allow the business to build on-site but “a handful” might have to be “adjacent or nearby”.
Deeks said: “We wouldn’t open anything that’s not close, the synergies require the two businesses to be as adjacent as possible.”
Costco will open its 27th UK warehouse at Sunbury on Thames next month. Wembley is expected to open towards the end of 2016.
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