Money Matters

OPINION: Costco has come to Auckland, and it will change the way my household shops.

The culture of Costco is heavy on the American, and I was not surprised to find that about 95% of what was on the shelves would never find its way into my trolly.

But what I saw last week convinced me Costco has a place in my shopping future. Here’s why.

I try to stay fit and lean, and consider the obesity epidemic to be one of humanity’s greatest stuff-ups, so the prospect of Costco peddling sugary and processed food in bulk quantities in Auckland really made me shudder.

Some opening-day sights, particularly in the Costco food court with its greasy pizza slabs and over-sized hotdogs, fulfilled my worst fears.

However, I was as impressed with bulk packs of things I currently pay too much for at the supermarket. These are the seeds, nuts, pulses, herbs, spices, oils and dried fruit that are sold in small, pricey packs, jars and bottles in the supermarkets.

The unhealthy stuff at supermarkets (cookies, soft drinks, processed food) seems so cheap by contrast to the stuff that’s good for you.

Looking through Costco fan posts on social media before the opening, I could see there was a Costco customer-subset really into their healthy lifestyles, but I lacked the experience of having ever been to a Costco to appreciate their enthusiasm for the store’s arrival.

Once-a-year, after growing a shed-load of basil in the garden, I make a year’s supply of fresh pesto to freeze, but the pine nuts are a hellish expense.

For 100g at Countdown, you pay $6.36. Costco was selling them for $5.59 for 100g.

Almond meal is $17.36 a kg. At Countdown, it’s $30, but I notice Countdown is advertising ‘‘bulk’’ almond meal at $22 a kg has arrived.

That’s probably too early to call a Costco competition effect.

Costco is about ‘‘bigger’’. But that works, if it gets the quality right. I grow a lot of herbs in my garden because of the cost of herbs at supermarkets.

Countdown sells mixed herbs in 15g boxes at $14 per 100g.

Costco’s mixed herbs are sold in 135g packs at $5.92 per kg in sealable jars.

My household’s resident home bakers get through a lot of cinnamon. Better to buy