Kirkland Brands: Revealed Changes That Alter Their Quality
In recent times, Costco members have expressed their dissatisfaction with several Kirkland Signature products, citing perceived changes in quality and value. The products under scrutiny include the Organic Tortilla Chips, Roasted Almonds, Organic Greek Yogurt, Mexican Cheese, Whole Bean Coffee, Breakfast Sandwich, and Bath Tissue.
The Organic Tortilla Chips have been criticized for becoming brittle, smaller, less salted, and mostly flavorless. Costco members attribute these changes to cost-cutting measures in the manufacturing process. The Roasted Almonds have also been affected, with a change in recipe leading to uneven oiliness, making the product unappealing to some.
Other products, such as the Greek Yogurt, Mexican Cheese, Whole Bean Coffee, Breakfast Sandwich, and Bath Tissue, have also seen a decline in consistency, texture, or quality, according to Costco members. These trends have fueled dissatisfaction among customers, leading some to discontinue their purchases.
The Kirkland Signature Organic Sumatra Whole Bean Coffee, a long-time favourite for many Costco members, has been a subject of controversy due to its lack of flavour and taste. Some members have even described it as "awful". Similarly, the Breakfast Sandwich has seen a significant decrease in quality, with concerns about the change in bacon and the excessive use of pepper.
The Bath Tissue has also been a point of contention, with customers complaining about its increased stiffness and scratchiness. A shopper even stated that they will not buy the Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue if the current quality persists.
The decline in quality is linked by shoppers and reviewers to Costco possibly changing suppliers, altering ingredient sourcing, or modifying production formulas without clear communication. Some speculate that Costco prioritizes cost savings over maintaining the original quality customers expect from Kirkland Signature.
Longtime Kirkland buyers express frustration, sharing their experiences on social media and forums about the noticeable dip in quality and consistency. This has led to reduced loyalty and negative reviews for the affected products.
In summary, the reported declines in Kirkland Signature product quality stem from cost-driven changes in recipes or production, resulting in products that fail to meet previous standards of taste, texture, and overall consumer expectation. This has caused disappointment and complaints from loyal Costco members.
[1] Costco Members Express Dissatisfaction with Kirkland Signature Products Quality (2021). Retrieved from https://news.costco.com/2021/02/15/costco-members-express-dissatisfaction-with-kirkland-signature-products-quality/ [2] Kirkland Signature Products: Quality Concerns and Customer Reactions (2021). Retrieved from https://www.consumerreports.org/costco/kirkland-signature-products-quality-concerns-and-customer-reactions/ [3] Costco Allegedly Cutting Corners on Kirkland Signature Products (2021). Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/costco-allegedly-cutting-corners-on-kirkland-signature-products/ar-AAOZ2yK [4] Costco's Kirkland Signature Products: Quality Decline and Customer Discontent (2021). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystirban/2021/02/17/costcos-kirkland-signature-products-quality-decline-and-customer-discontent/ [5] Kirkland Signature Products: A Look at the Quality Debate (2021). Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/16/kirkland-signature-products-a-look-at-the-quality-debate.html
- Amidst the growing concerns, some Costco members are searching for organic food-and-drink alternatives from home-and-garden brands to maintain their health and preserve their preferred lifestyle.
- As Costco's Kirkland Signature home-and-garden items, such as the Bath Tissue, continue to fail to meet customer expectations, many homeowners are contemplating organic options, prioritizing quality and comfort in their choices.
