Roundup: Costco Rotisserie Lawsuit, US Jobless Claims, Home Depot Layoffs

Costco faces class action over rotisserie chicken, US jobless claims dip slightly, Home Depot cuts 800 jobs and mandates return to office

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:47am

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This roundup covers several business stories, including a lawsuit against Costco over its $4.99 rotisserie chicken, a slight dip in US jobless claims, and layoffs at Home Depot along with a return-to-office mandate for corporate employees.

Why it matters

These stories provide insights into the current state of the economy, consumer trends, and the business strategies of major retailers like Costco and Home Depot, which can have broader implications for the job market, consumer spending, and the overall health of the economy.

The details

The Costco lawsuit alleges the company falsely advertised its rotisserie chicken as having "no preservatives" when it actually contains sodium phosphate and carrageenan. Meanwhile, US jobless claims fell slightly last week but remained at historically healthy levels. Home Depot is laying off around 800 workers, primarily in remote and technology roles, as it grapples with slower home improvement demand and is requiring corporate employees to return to the office five days a week.

  • The proposed class-action lawsuit against Costco was filed recently.
  • The US jobless claims data is for the week ending January 24, 2026.
  • Home Depot announced the layoffs and return-to-office mandate in January 2026.

The players

Costco

A major wholesale retailer that operates membership warehouse clubs.

Home Depot

The largest home improvement retailer in the United States.

US Department of Labor

The federal agency that tracks and reports on US jobless claims data.

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The takeaway

These stories highlight the ongoing challenges and evolving strategies of major retailers as they navigate changing consumer preferences, economic conditions, and the need to balance cost-cutting measures with maintaining a productive workforce.