Costco is putting the finishing touches on its Auckland-based warehouse ahead of its local launch next year, while the business’ website has launched and advertises jobs and a subscription for the year ahead.

The warehouse was initially expected to launch in 2021, but the CostcoNZ website now states it will launch in 2022 – likely a result of the pandemic having thrown its schedule off.

According to a report in FMCGBusiness, the business is seeking a membership marketing manager and an assistant general manager, and expects to hire around 350 workers.

And, Costco Australia and New Zealand managing director Patrick Noone said the company is eyeing additional stores in Wellington and the South Island once the Auckland warehouse launches.

Costco currently has 11 warehouses in Australia, with an additional two confirmed under construction and one underway in New Zealand. The company, which is based in the US, has 785 warehouses around the globe to date.

The business launched its e-commerce offering in Australia last year: an additional perk to the retailer’s membership offer, and one that allows isolating customers to shop with the business at home and have their goods delivered for free to their doorstep.

It isn’t clear if New Zealand will see an online offer similar to the one in Australia.