Shrinkflation
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In economics, shrinkflation is the process of items shrinking in size or quantity while their prices remain the same.[1]
Economic definition
Shrinkflation is a rise in the general price level of goods per unit weight or size, with a corresponding reduction in the weight or size of the item sold.[2] Hence the price of the packaged product remains the same. This does not affect inflation measures such as the consumer price index or Retail Price Index, because there is no increase in the cost of a basket of retail goods and services.
Examples of shrinkflation
- In 2009 Mars reduced the size of their Mars bar from 62.5 grams to 58 grams, while the price remained at 37 pence.[3]
- In 2010 Cadbury reduced its 200 g Toblerone bar to 170 g.[4]
- Tetley tea bags were sold in boxes of 88 instead of 100.[4]
- Nestlé reduced its After Eight Mint Chocolate Thins box from 200 g to 170 g.[4]
- Cadbury's Crunchie were sold in packs of three instead of four.[4]
- In 2013 Cereal Partners sold Shredded Wheat Superfruity for £2.68 at Sainsbury's; was put on £2 special offer, before returning to £2.68, but with less cereal in each box.[3]
- In January 2009 Häagen-Dazs announced that it would be reducing the size of their ice cream cartons in the US from 16 US fl oz (470 ml) to 14 US fl oz (410 ml).[5][6]
- In March 2014 Coca-Cola reduced the size of their 2-litre bottle to 1.75 litres
- Birds Eye potato waffles were reduced from a 12 pack to a 10 pack
- PG Tips 80 teabags reduced in weight from 250g to 232g, while the price remained at £1.99[7]
- Kit Kat Chunky was reduced in weight from 48g to 40g, while the price remained at £0.60[7]
- In July 2015, a tub of Cadbury Roses which weighed 975g in 2011, was reduced to under 730g, while a tub of Cadbury Heroes was reduced 695g, however the price remained the same at around £9.[8]
- In 2016, Mondelez International again reduced the size of the UK 170 g Toblerone bar to 150 g, while the 400 g bar was reduced to 360 g. This was done by enlarging the gap between the chocolate triangles.[9]
See also
Notes
- ^ "The scourge of Shrinkflation eats away at the man in the street like a cancer!". Perpetual Traveller Overseas. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
- ^ "'Why do it unless it is to make more money out of us?': Products are getting smaller while the price you pay stays the same". Associated Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- ^ a b "That shrinking feeling - how Golden Wonder made me a victim of shrinkflation". Mail Online. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- ^ a b c d "VAT rises but food shrinks". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- ^ York, Emily Bryson (March 9, 2009). "Ben and Jerry's Calls Out Haagen-Dazs on Shrinkage". adage.com. Advertising Age. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ partysugar (March 10, 2009). "Ben and Jerry's vs. Haagen-Dazs: A Pint-Sized Battle". popsugar.com. POPsugar. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ a b "Shrinkflation! How big brands have cut the size of products - but not the price of them". Mail Online. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ^ "Cadbury take ELEVEN CHOCS from Heroes and Roses tubs but price stays same". Daily Express. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ^ "Toblerone triangle change upsets fans". BBC. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
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