The 24-pump gas station at Sudbury’s Costco location on The Kingsway is expected to open soon.
A local representative affirmed their goal is to open the pumps by Dec. 9, but that the date is not set in stone – a point a construction worker on site also shared, noting they would open “soon”.
Sudbury.com connected with GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan last year for insight on the Costco pumps’ impact on local gas prices.
“I have not seen a case where a new Costco comes in and does not dramatically undercut nearby stations,” he said at the time. “Over time, in many areas and many instances, Costco remains very aggressive compared to its competition.”
Although Costco typically undercuts competitors’ prices, De Haan said it shouldn’t be aggressive enough to drive anyone out of business, in part because of the requirement that customers carry a Costco membership. Also, he said, they’re known for having long lines due to their low prices.
“There’s enough friction in the process that it’s not easy for everyone to get those low prices and that keeps other stations in business,” he said. “I think every time we’ve seen a Costco it’s been good news for consumers.”
Costco has been advertising their gas prices in recent weeks outside of their main doors, and on Monday noted a members-only price of 146.9 for regular and 158.9 for premium.
By comparison, GasBuddy.com recorded prices that day ranging from $149.9 to $151.9 in Sudbury for regular and 174.9 to 190.9 for premium.
The local Costco representative said that their opening prices will be determined closer to the day of the pumps’ opening, and that they are not ready to announce the gas station’s hours of operation.
