For many shoppers, one of the best perks of Costco membership is the inflation-proof prices on some favorites, like the hot dog and soda combination for $1.50 at the food court and the $4.99 rotisserie chicken from the deli.
However, a recent packaging change to Costco’s signature rotisserie chicken has created displeasure among the usually enthusiastic members. Costco has replaced the rigid, two-piece clamshells previously used to pack whole, cooked chickens with sealed bags. According to Costco, the packaging change eliminates 17 million pounds of plastic and 400 metric tons of greenhouse gasses, the equivalent of taking a thousand Costco trucks off the road.
If those figures seem like inflated or overly optimistic projections, keep in mind that Costco sold 137 million rotisserie chickens in 2023, a 20% increase over 2022.
