A massive new competitor is set to enter the UK market with a discount fuel offer.

Costco, which has a worldwide turnover of $100bn, has applied for planning permission to build a petrol filling station (PFS) at its Liverpool site, and in the document states that it would be “one of the first Costco PFSs in the UK”.

The company has been the US and Canada’s favourite fuel retailer for the past two years, according to US customer intelligence company Market Force Information, and last year announced it would open PFSs at every new depot it opens in Australia.

The plans in Liverpool are for eight dual-sided fuel dispensers, on eight islands providing 16 fill positions. The self service pumps will be fully automated with authorisation by credit card and there will be no cash sales.

It adds: “This method of forecourt operation is significantly more efficient than ‘pay at kiosk’ stations with much reduced standing time on the forecourt, consequently accommodating higher throughput with minimal queuing.”

The PFS would be located within the depot’s car park and would be restricted to Costco members. It would only be open during the depot’s opening hours.

Costco’s UK management were not available to talk to Forecourt Trader because they were involved in the opening of its latest UK depot, at Farnborough, in Hampshire. The latest addition takes the company to 25 depots across England, Scotland and Wales, and it has stated in the past that it aims to open around 50 sites in the UK.

Individuals and businesses pay for membership and it aims to provide a range of branded and own label products at the lowest price in the market.