SINGAPORE - Supermarket chain FairPrice opened a membership-only mega retail store at the FairPrice Hub in Joo Koon on Monday.

The two-storey store, named Warehouse Club, sells items in larger than usual packaging, at discounts of up to 20 per cent. It stocks more than 4,000 products, including groceries, fresh and frozen food, electronics, household goods and health and beauty products.

The store follows a similar format of successful membership-only stores overseas, such as Costco in the United States.

FairPrice deputy chief executive of operations Gerry Lee said the supermarket chain has been progressively introducing various retail formats to cater to the changing lifestyles of its customers.

"Today, we are proud to bring another exciting new retail format that aims to provide our members with quality products at the best value, through large discounts with bulk buys, multi-packs and exclusive brands," he said.

Exclusive brands available at Warehouse Club includes Costco's Kirkland Signatures and Japanese green tea brand Ito En.

Only registered members can purchase from the store, which spans over 80,000 sq ft. A one-year membership costs $35 for NTUC Union members and $50 for non-union members. Nearly 12,000 people have signed up since registration started in May this year.