While construction of the Costco warehouse store continues in Rimouski, the City of Lévis has greatly benefited from its opening in 2015 for the attractiveness of consumers who also visit other businesses, but also as an employer for 280 people on a salary average of $47,000 per year.
“Costco is an employer of choice that treats its employees very well. He is also an excellent corporate citizen. The arrival of Costco has only had beneficial effects. This made it possible to accelerate the development of Carrefour Saint-Romuald. Other businesses benefited from it. The advice I could give to Rimouski merchants is to stand out with customer service. Thus, their businesses will prosper with the opening of Costco which will be larger than ours,” comments the President and CEO of the Greater Lévis Chamber of Commerce, Marie-Josée Morency.
According to her, the base salary at Costco is $33,000 per year and can reach $85,000.
Referring to this model, it seems obvious that Costco will inject a significant payroll into the Rimouski economy by employing between 250 and 280 people.
“We don’t hide it. Even though there were already two Costcos in Quebec, it was important to have one in Lévis to serve the Chaudière-Appalaches region and even Bas-Saint-Laurent. Several Lower Laurentians were already going to the Costco in Lévis. We think that a Costco will be good for Rimouski, because it has been good for us. This really met a regional need,” continues the CEO.
Opportunities for traders
Marie-Josée Morency is aware that initially the arrival of a Costco can be seen as a big player that will attract all consumers, to the detriment of others, but this is not the case.
“On the contrary, the presence of Costco generates opportunities for existing businesses. First, Costco offers regional products in its offering. Then, it attracts a clientele who might not otherwise have come to Rimouski and who will want to discover local products and services. Retailers who focus on locality and customer service will benefit from Costco.”
A good corporate citizen
In Lévis, Costco is seen by the Chamber of Commerce as a good corporate citizen.
“He gets involved. We see it. We also saw the attractiveness around Costco in Lévis. Several merchants at Carrefour Saint-Romuald take advantage of the presence of Costco. It attracts people who go to Costco, yes, but who will also stop at the local merchant who has been able to diversify, take the digital shift and be present and attractive.”
“We can’t stop big guys like Costco or Walmart from setting up. Following the opening of Costco in Lévis, we saw major businesses like Latulippe, Supermarché Santé Mondoux, A & W and Cochon Dingue come and establish themselves nearby. It has become a very popular area for spending and shopping in Lévis,” says Ms. Morency.
