Additional Coverage:
- Costco shopper who bought Kirkland chicken thighs noticed one major problem: “They used to have…” (marketrealist.com)
Costco Chicken Controversy: Is It Shrinkflation or Not?
A TikTok video has sparked a heated debate about everyone’s favorite warehouse retailer, Costco, and its Kirkland Signature chicken thighs. TikTok user Adriana Paollela claims the wholesale giant has engaged in shrinkflation, reducing the number of chicken thighs per package while maintaining the original price.
In her video, Paollela insists that Kirkland Signature chicken thigh packages previously contained six rows of five thighs (30 total), but now contain only five rows of four (20 total). She points to this change as a classic example of shrinkflation, the practice of reducing product quantity while keeping prices constant.
However, the comments section quickly became a battleground of conflicting opinions. Many viewers challenged Paollela’s recollection, asserting that the packages have always contained four thighs per row.
Some argued that the change in packaging, if any, likely reflects adjustments to accommodate inflation rather than a deliberate attempt to deceive consumers. One commenter explained that the price is based on weight, not the number of pieces, suggesting the total weight remained consistent despite the repackaging.
Despite the pushback, Paollela stood firm, and she wasn’t alone. Several commenters echoed her observations, claiming they too noticed a reduction in the number of chicken thighs, with some even extending the accusation to Costco’s chicken wings.
While the online jury remains out on the chicken thigh conundrum, the incident highlights growing consumer anxieties surrounding rising food prices and the sometimes-confusing ways companies respond to inflation. Although experts predict frozen chicken prices will remain steady despite rising costs in other areas of the grocery store, increased demand could potentially lead to future shortages.