Costco shoppers across the UK have been left utterly bewildered by the sudden appearance of a rather unusual product on the supermarket giant's shelves: a SPAM gift set. The canned meat assortment, spotted at the end of January, prompted widespread confusion and amusement on social media, with many questioning who would ever give SPAM as a present.
The Viral Discovery That Sparked Confusion
The mystery began when a TikTok user, posting under the handle @newfoodspotteruk, documented their discovery while walking down a Costco aisle. The video quickly gained traction, with followers expressing sheer bafflement at the notion of a SPAM gift pack. One commenter typified the reaction, writing: 'Spam gift pack – who’s giving spam as a pressie?'
This reaction is understandable given SPAM's typical perception in the UK. The product, made by American food processor Hormel Foods, contains pork, salt, water, modified potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite. It rose to prominence during the Second World War but is not commonly viewed as a gift item in British culture.
Costco's Reputation for the Unusual
While Costco is renowned for offering massive savings on everyday essentials like toilet roll, cleaning products, and electronics to its membership holders, it has also cultivated a reputation for stocking unexpected and sometimes peculiar food and drink items not typically seen in UK supermarkets. The store frequently rotates its stock based on seasonal demand and sales performance, which often leads to these surprising discoveries.
The Cultural Reason Behind the SPAM Set
However, there is a significant and culturally specific reason for this product's timely arrival. The packaging provides the first clue: it features an image of a horse in the corner. This is a direct reference to the upcoming Lunar New Year 2026, which begins on Tuesday, February 17 and will usher in the Year of the Horse.
In South Korea, SPAM is considered a luxury food item and is an incredibly popular gift during Lunar New Year celebrations. The country is the largest consumer of SPAM outside the United States. Gifting SPAM represents wishes for abundance and care for the recipient, making it a staple present during this important holiday period.
The Significance of the Gift and Its Value
The SPAM gift set available at Costco contains classic and hot and spicy varieties of chopped pork and ham. In South Korea, such gift sets can command prices between 20,000 and 120,000 won, which translates to approximately £10 to £60. This underscores its status as a premium offering rather than a simple canned good.
The Lunar New Year, and the Year of the Horse specifically, carries deep meaning within the Chinese zodiac. The horse symbolises energy, independence, freedom, and ambition. Individuals born in horse years – such as 2014, 2002, 1990, and 1942 – are often seen as social, ambitious, and hardworking, albeit sometimes impatient.
A Niche Product with a Clear Purpose
Costco's decision to stock the SPAM gift set, therefore, is a calculated move targeting communities celebrating Lunar New Year and consumers interested in authentic cultural products. It highlights the retailer's strategy to cater to diverse customer bases and capitalise on specific seasonal events with niche, high-demand items.
While the initial reaction from many UK shoppers was one of puzzlement, the product's presence is a testament to global cultural influences on British retail and Costco's adeptness at identifying and supplying unique, occasion-specific goods. The SPAM gift set is far more than a quirky shelf item; it is a culturally significant product placed with precise timing for a dedicated market.
