Auburn. Costco to open in July

One of the world's biggest supermarket chains, the US-based Costco, will open its $60 million Australian HO and a store in Auburn, in July - the first of seven planned for the city. The expansion of the retail giant will spark a bigger price war among supermarket heavyweights Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Franklins. Choice spokeswoman, Ingrid Just, predicts the expansion of Costco nationally will force the big four supermarkets to offer shoppers more opportunities to buy in bulk, as well as bigger savings for those buying large quantities of certain products.