Costco’s first store in China mobbed on opening day

If opening day is any sign, Costco Wholesale Club will be a big hit in China.

The warehouse club operator opened its first store in China, in Shanghai’s Minhang district, on Tuesday.  It was forced to shut the store early, according to state media, after large crowds came through the door and caused traffic jams in the surrounding neighborhood, reported CNBC.

Videos posted on Chinese social media showed thousands of people crowding the aisles of the store, the report said, while signs outside warned incoming shoppers that they might have to wait three hours to park.  The Paper, a media outlet run by the Shanghai government, reported at 2:43 p.m. that the store had shut early, citing the local district government.