Come Fall 2008, Lakewood's Shopping Mall will introduce its newest anchor store. With 159,000-square-feet and a gas station, this Costco will be the first in Southern California attached to a shopping mall. The existing space has been vacant since the 2005 merger of Robinsons -May and Macy's.
In recent consumer surveys, it was found that about 30 percent of Lakewood families shop at Costco. The demeographics show that the typical Costco customer is a business owner. They are usually homeowners with annual incomes of over $100,000 who shops an average of 20to 50 times a year at Costco.
The arrival of Costco to Lakewood Center reflects the changes that are occurring in the retail industry. the consolidation of department stores have created major retail gaps, prompting mall owner to consider new uses of the empty spaces. While some mall owners hav filled this gaps with entertainment and dining spaces, others have chosen to entertain unlikely partners such as Target and Costco.
As expected, news about Costco's upcoming arrival has generated excitement among the over 100 retailers. The news is also good for Lakewood shoppers, who will now have the opportunity to experience the full range in their shopping experience.
