The American retail giant Costco is ready to make its mark on the Costa del Sol as construction work on its first store in the province is programmed to begin after the summer.
The building permit carries a material execution budget of €24 million and includes plans for 640 parking spaces.
The ambitious restructuring and renovation project at the Malaga Nostrum shopping complex is nearing completion, with the demolition of the former cinema, closed since early June, expected to start shortly after the summer season. Once the site is cleared, construction of the Costco hypermarket will follow. The store will feature a basement, ground floor, and first floor, with a maximum height of 14.5 metres, on a 14,460-square-metre plot.
Construction is estimated will take ten months. If all proceeds as planned, the store could open its doors by late 2026 or early 2027. The arrival of Costco is a significant development for Malaga Nostrum, the city, and the broader province. According to Bogaris, the property developer, the store will serve as a powerful platform for exporting local products. True to its business model, access to the Malaga Costco will require a membership, with the Gold Star membership currently priced at €36.30 per year (including VAT), which includes an additional free card. Members can enjoy savings of up to 70 per cent on a wide range of high-quality products, from fresh foods to exclusive seasonal items.
As well as the hypermarket, Costco will introduce a petrol station at the complex, with preparatory demolitions already completed. The station, a €1.5 million investment, will take up a nearly 4,000-square-metre plot and feature nine pumps for cut-price fuel. The service station is expected to be up and running before the main store opens. The possibility of filling up for less will no doubt give nearby competitors, Macro, a run for their money. Could this lead to a price war among wholesalers?