Main Topic: Costco Opens First Taichung Store

Hosts: James Stanworth, Clyde Warden

We continue our coverage of raw American retailing's attempt at invading mainstream Taiwan local culture and the reaction from Chinese consumers.

Watch The Show:

The Show (Audio Only):

Length: 7 minutes. Download MP3 3.62MB (Right click->Save As).

Length: 9 minutes. Download MP3 4.22MB (Right click->Save As).

The Show (Video & Audio):

James, Jane, and Clyde talk about the competition in the Taiwan hypermarket segment.
Length: 7 minutes.
High Quality mp4 H.264(640x480) Download high quality mp4 69.69MB (Right click->Save As).
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James and Clyde look at the consumers showing up today.
Length: 9 minutes.
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Photos:

1) Everything set for the climatic firecrackers. 1) Everything set for the climatic firecrackers.

2) A few of these set about the store. 2) A few of these set about the store.

3) Opening day/front gate/8:50AM. 3) Opening day/front gate/8:50AM.

4) The lion dance starts. 4) The lion dance starts.

5) Everyone�s cell phone is out for photos. 5) Everyone�s cell phone is out for photos.

6) The lion makes his moves. 6) The lion makes his moves.

7) Coscto CEO meets the lion face to face. 7) Coscto CEO meets the lion face to face.

8) Mayor Jason Hu gets a white radish (Daikon) from the lion. 8) Mayor Jason Hu gets a white radish (Daikon) from the lion.

9) CEO James Sinegal gets a pineapple (good fortune). 9) CEO James Sinegal gets a pineapple (good fortune).

10) While all the action was going on, most of the people were around back in line. 10) While all the action was going on, most of the people were around back in line.

11) All one needed to do was flash the membership card to get the gifts, so a lot of people were called in to stand in line and rotate card use. 11) All one needed to do was flash the membership card to get the gifts, so a lot of people were called in to stand in line and rotate card use.

12) Mr. Sinegal seemed to be a man of few words. 12) Mr. Sinegal seemed to be a man of few words.

13) After 500 stores, I guess it is hard to get too excited about another one. 13) After 500 stores, I guess it is hard to get too excited about another one.

14) Firecrackers were lit off. 14) Firecrackers were lit off.

15) The crowd surged forward and the store was open for business. 15) The crowd surged forward and the store was open for business.

16) No chaos though, just a slow push forward. 16) No chaos though, just a slow push forward.

17) Managers all had English name tags. 17) Managers all had English name tags.

18) The Mayor spent some time socializing (Hu is amazingly skillful). 18) The Mayor spent some time socializing (Hu is amazingly skillful).

19) Hu said he was very happy Taichung City got the land used, and the new jobs! 19) Hu said he was very happy Taichung City got the land used, and the new jobs!

20) Lots of home keepers in line, and family shoppers. 20) Lots of home keepers in line, and family shoppers.

21) A week day morning, so this makes sense. 21) A week day morning, so this makes sense.

22) The first shoppers to exit the store (free eggs in hand). 22) The first shoppers to exit the store (free eggs in hand).

23) Castco's reusable shopping bag. 23) Castco's reusable shopping bag.

24) The police were lining up for the free eggs as well, getting a collection here. 24) The police were lining up for the free eggs as well, getting a collection here.

25) The carts do NOT require any change insert (deposit) leading to carts all over the place. 25) The carts do NOT require any change insert (deposit) leading to carts all over the place.

26) The food court had very limited seating, so many took their food outside. 26) The food court had very limited seating, so many took their food outside.

Show Links:

• Costco Taiwan Website
  
• Costco US Website
  
• Grace's Product Life (A Local Blog 品味生活's Grace)
• Yealing's Daily Self-Portrait (A Local Blog Yealing 的自拍日誌)
• Yorohoko's Life! (A Local Blog)