Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Costco Heads to the Ozarks!

by Pa Rock
Happy Shopper

A friend emailed the good news yesterday informing me that my favorite big-box store, Costco, will soon be opening its first store in the Ozarks.  A bit of research revealed that the mega-retailer plans on opening a warehouse/store in Springfield, Missouri, in the fall of 2021.

Currently to get to a Costco I have to drive to either the St. Louis (three hours plus) or the Kansas City area (nearly five hours).  The new store will will be two hours from my door to theirs.  This will be Costco's first encroachment into the solid Walmart area of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas - and competition will be such a grand thing!

Not only does Costco pay its employees better that Walmart, it also offers better benefit plans - and  it is seen as a leader in employee relations in the retail sector.  In 2019 new employees at Costco were earning over $15 an hour plus benefits - and the ones I have observed and talked to seem to like their jobs.

The new Springfield store expects to hire between 125 to possibly more than 200 individuals.  Ultimate employment figures will depend on how busy the public keeps the store - and this Costco shopper anticipates that it will be damned busy!

Thank you for for finally coming to the Ozarks, Costco - and know that you will truly be welcome!

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