[Caymus]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

My guess is that IF a Costco ever comes to the Village’s it will be near the new Middleton area where lots of housing for young families with kids will be. Costco’s business model is to sell products in volume at low margins. Without customers buying lots of stuff in bulk their business model simply doesn’t work. Homes with two senior citizens simply don’t fit their target demographic, they need young families that rapidly go through products in volume. Demographics aside, Florida is already at a disadvantage fitting into Costco’s model because the homes don’t have basements, leaving homes at a disadvantage for bulk purchase storage. The Village’s has had the population concentrated sought after by Costco for years, but the demographic make up of the population isn’t favorable in their eyes.

They make about 80% of their profits from membership fees. They may be happy to just sell memberships in The Villages

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Last week my husband and I had the occasion to go to one of the Costco stores in Orlando. When we were checking out I mentioned to the cashier and other Costco employee that we never get to Costco as often as I would like because it's a 50-mile drive each way. They went on to tell us that a new Costco was being built in Clermont and they expected it to be opened around November. The current manager at that store was being transferred to the new Clermont store.

They went on to say that the next Costco (Florida) store was scheduled to be built in Daytona. And guess where the next Florida store is going to be??? YES -- HERE --within about three years! I don't know about most people, but I am thrilled. I've been a die-hard Costco customer for over 30 years.

Certainly good news...but, also must say we've heard for YEARS that it was "certain" they were planning on building in the area between Leesburg, Fl and Ocala, Fl. I would not count on it, land acquisition for that size corporation is always "fluid". Same with Trader Joe's. Had a regional manager for midwest tell me they DID have "an area near the villages, Fl" on a list of possible new units. That was in December of 2016, may still be on that list, may not !

[Tustin714]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Demographics aside, Florida is already at a disadvantage fitting into Costco’s model because the homes don’t have basements, leaving homes at a disadvantage for bulk purchase storage.

Where we currently live (can't wait to get to TV full-time), homes simply don't have basements, and there are 2 Costcos within 5 miles of each other (3 within 10 miles). Nonetheless, the storage issue may still relevant for the TV area.

[Ubieland]

I too have been a Costco shopper for years. I also have a son who is a AGM for Costco. When I have asked him this question, he has told me that Costco will not build in the Villages because of the demographics. Simply put, people our age do not buy in bulk. We don't buy a lot anymore like we use to when we had our families. If you are every at BJ's or Sam's look at people's carriages, the bulk items are usually toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, and Kleenex. If you want to shop Costco and save some gas & mileage, order items online and have it delivered. We did that last Christmas (it was our 1st Christmas here) and bought our tree and decorations. Very easy to do, and you get the Costco quality that you like.

[mtdjed]

In 3 years, Costco will be nothing, but a Gas Station as will Sams. Brick and mortar is a thing of the past. If you want something, order online. They currently deliver a three-dollar item free even on Sunday.

[coralway]

A very good stock to own

[JGibson]

Hooters beat Costco. lol.

[Lottoguy]

The Villages will not see a Costco in your lifetime. Ocala will get one before they build one here. Ocala is between Gainsville and The Villages. The perfect site for a future build.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Sams is usually right around the corner from Costco. Yet they coexist..up north we have 6 Costco and 5 Sam’s, within 40 minutes from our home. We shop at both when we go, one doesn’t always have the product we need. I do see BJs once Clermont Costco is built, struggling.

In TV BJs parking lot is empty most days, drive down the street Sams lot is packed from opening to close

I'm a BJ's customer. If Sam's was in the location BJs is in, I'd be a Sam's customer. I like being able to get there by golf cart and BJ's is a 4 minute cart ride from my house. I "can" get to Sam's by cart, but it's illegal and I'm the type of person who ends up getting caught when I do stuff like that. So I try not to do stuff like that. Plus, Sam's is over 15 minutes drive from the house. Not very practical if I'm buying things that need refrigeration or a freezer, when it's 94° and the golf cart isn't air conditioned.

(And yes - that really does mean that my moral compass doesn't really give a flying fart about whether or not I can cross Griffin Road legally by golf cart at the Jeffrey Drive gate. I'd do it anyway if I was confident enough that I wouldn't get caught.)

I /do/ go to Sam's for prescriptions. I paid only 88 cents for one 90-day rx there - and it's $12 at Publix, and $7 at Walmart. My other rx's have enjoyed similar low prices, so it's a pretty good savings.

[MrFlorida]

3 years ?

[Rwirish]

Wow, my whole life will be so much better since a Costco may come to TV. Yeah!

[Joe C.]

I was in Costco the other day and heard and saw two old employees talking and smiling about how fast the Villages was expanding, and they said that before you know it, the Villages will be coming to Costco. !!!

[Southwest737]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Last week my husband and I had the occasion to go to one of the Costco stores in Orlando. When we were checking out I mentioned to the cashier and other Costco employee that we never get to Costco as often as I would like because it's a 50-mile drive each way. They went on to tell us that a new Costco was being built in Clermont and they expected it to be opened around November. The current manager at that store was being transferred to the new Clermont store.

They went on to say that the next Costco (Florida) store was scheduled to be built in Daytona. And guess where the next Florida store is going to be??? YES -- HERE --within about three years! I don't know about most people, but I am thrilled. I've been a die-hard Costco customer for over 30 years.

More trees cut down to build another big box store that I will never step foot. Great news indeed. 🙄

[FredJacobs]

If a Costco will be built in this area, I guarantee it will not be on Villages' property.

[Sherkugawa]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

My guess is that IF a Costco ever comes to the Village’s it will be near the new Middleton area where lots of housing for young families with kids will be. Costco’s business model is to sell products in volume at low margins. Without customers buying lots of stuff in bulk their business model simply doesn’t work. Homes with two senior citizens simply don’t fit their target demographic, they need young families that rapidly go through products in volume. Demographics aside, Florida is already at a disadvantage fitting into Costco’s model because the homes don’t have basements, leaving homes at a disadvantage for bulk purchase storage. The Village’s has had the population concentrated sought after by Costco for years, but the demographic make up of the population isn’t favorable in their eyes.

Shopping at Costco means buying in bulk is a myth. Yes, paper products are in large bundles but that’s about it.