Hypermarkets

Costco Descends on Paris

Bulk baguettes.
Bulk baguettes. Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN/Getty Images

The first French Costco store is set to open in the Parisian suburbs by spring of 2015; it’ll be one of six regional stores and 25 overall that the wholesaler hopes to open nationwide in the next twenty years. If the French are wary of subscription-based overbuying (it “terrifies” Eric Ripert), head of Costco France is doing his best to woo them; in April, he described the experience of warehouse shopping as “a treasure hunt.” But one with free samples and cigarettes in bulk. [NYP, Le Figaro, Related]

Costco Descends on Paris