There was huge excitement among shoppers in Kent when bulk-buying giants Costco announced plans for a new branch in the county.

But what benefits will it actually bring? Our reporter Cara Simmonds looked into the bulk-buying craze…

When the news broke that Costco would be coming to either Medway or Maidstone, it got everyone talking.

Many were thrilled at the thought of not having to venture through the Dartford Crossing to get to their nearest branch.

Lots of people said it was “long-overdue” and speculation over where it would go was rife.

“Yes! Finally! Maidstone would be a good central place to open one,” Heidi Baker commented.

Julie Castell agreed, saying: “Yes about time. I've stopped going to the one in Thurrock as we live in Whitstable. It's far too far to go these days.”

And while a final location is set to be revealed, the benefits to the county are already clear.

It’s been widely reported that town centres are struggling, but Ilsa Franklin from town centre management group One Maidstone BID thinks a name this big could help.

“Investment tends to breed investment and this can only be a good thing,” said the operations manager

“Maidstone has a great mix of independents and national chains and whenever a new and recognisable business moves into an area it will attract new customers. This upturn in footfall brings with it benefits for other businesses.

“Someone who has not been to the town before but makes the trip to Costco may then take the time to explore the rest that the town has to offer.

“Customer behaviour has changed in the past ten years or so and people will often visit a town now for an experience rather than simply for one purpose alone.

“Given the mix of retail, leisure and service that Maidstone’s business community provides there is much for people to explore and discover.”

But what is it for customers that draws them to the bulk buying giant?

Quite simply, cost.

Costco was founded in 1983 by Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brotman, who opened the first warehouse in Seattle, Washington.

The concept was simple: Shoppers pay a fee in order to gain access to bargain prices.

It stocked a variety of supermarket products and some luxury goods, as well as electronics, furniture, appliances, jewellery and more.

It made it across the pond in 1993 and now has 29 warehouses.

Costco is now the third largest retailer in the world with 852 locations and more than 124 million cardholders.

The company prides itself in offering a variety of products and services at extremely competitive prices.

Business owners and those in the trade also benefit from larger quantity items that you wouldn't find stocked in regular supermarkets.

But does this actually work out cheaper?

We compared* some of the most common branded goods from Costco against ASDA, Tesco and Morrisons.

You can buy a pack of 45 Cushelle Quilted 3-Ply toilet paper for £23.89, however there is a minimum purchase of two – which means you will need to spend £47.78 to get a discount.

If you manage to find a place to store nearly 100 rolls in your home, it still works out more affordable than your average supermarket.

Heinz Baked Beans from the warehouse will set you back £17.99 for 24, which comes to 0.74p per tin.

Whereas at ASDA, you can bag a pack of six for £4.25, and for the same amount it would come to £17.

This is approximately 0.70p – just slightly cheaper than Costco.

So as long as you have space at home for 100 toilet rolls and dozens of tins of baked beans, it just about makes it worthwhile.

But there’s a catch. Shoppers must be able to qualify for either a trade or individual membership.

Those who run their own business can get one starting from £26.40 annually.

Otherwise, you need to be over 18 and have a certain type of job – or be retired from one.

This includes finance, emergency services, post office, airlines, insurance and education, as well as civil and health service.

The full list of employment groups are available on their website.

A full individual membership with branch access will set you back £33.60.

If you don’t qualify for any of the above, an online shopping membership costs £15, which anyone can sign up to.

While Costco provides a slightly cheaper option for shoppers and will hopefully encourage more investment in the town, there are some drawbacks.

As with all major building projects, the infrastructure and impact on the area during construction could negatively impact locals for some time.

As Tudor Price, deputy chief executive at the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, explains: “It brings a few challenges around infrastructure. This includes the impact it will have on its final chosen location in terms of traffic, accommodation and movement of vehicles.

“We are talking big – around a Bluewater-size footprint. It’s the amount of HGV traffic too. Kent County Council will have a lot of say in the matter.

“The damage and disruption that HGVs have on the local road network is quite huge.

“You also have Operation Brock that crops up every summer. That will be a lot of the determining factors.”

Mr Price has recently been told by a source at Medway Council that they are yet to enter into formal discussions with Costco.

He suspects the store will take a couple of years to materialise, but it will all depend on what challenges both local authorities face.

“I know MBC recently turned down an Aldi request and Costco are considerably larger than them.

“I suspect that Maidstone might not be as an easier option than Medway, who I understand are super keen.”

And while he points out some problems lying ahead, he also can see the huge benefit it will bring to Kent’s workforce.

He said: “There are issues to overcome, but whichever local authority is lucky enough to have them I’m sure they will sit down and work through these things

“It’s really about the supply chain that develops off the back of that.

“You have the construction side of things – there will be a period of time where there’s going to be large scale employment for contractors.

“You’re going to have training and recruitment of staff, the local employment will be really beneficial.”

With the huge popularity and success of other discount stores such as Home Bargains and B&M, it seems that Costco will not only be popular but also bring benefits to Kent’s economy.

It just might take a few more traffic jams and noisy HGVs to get there.

*All prices correct at the time of writing.