The U.S. retail chain Costco has decided to halt its expansion plans in Catalonia after years of unsuccessful search for locations. According to Crónica Global de El Español, the multinational has decided to park its landing in the Catalan market due to the technical impossibility of finding land that meets its demanding urban and logistic requirements.
Real estate sector sources quoted by the media indicate that the company has not been able to identify plots of land that fit its business model, characterized by large sales areas.
This is how the Costco model works
The main obstacle lies in the dimensions and characteristics required by the U.S. operator for its centers. To implement its model, Costco requires large plots of land (between 40,000 and 60,000 square meters in area), a commercial warehouse of about 15,000 meters, a surface parking lot and its own gas station.
In addition, it must have quick access to one of the main highways in Catalonia.
According to the media, one of the last sites studied by the company was located in Cerdanyola del Vallès, specifically on land near Parc de l’Alba and the Alba Synchrotron.
However, sources from Incasòl (owner of the land) have confirmed that no offer has been formalized by the retail chain.
This situation is similar to the one Costco is going through in Valencia, where the construction of its hypermarket in the municipality of Paterna has not yet been planned, despite urban development progress.
The company, the second largest retail chain in the world, already has stores operating in Seville, Getafe, Las Rozas, Sestao and Zaragoza, and has advanced plans for new openings in Malaga and Asturias.
Costco operates through an annual membership program, which allows access to its hypermarket, where large-format products can be purchased at affordable prices.