12 Examples of Shrinkflation
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From toilet tissue to instant coffee, producers are reducing product numbers while maintaining costs constant. Shrinkflation is a common practice found on grocery and big-box retailer shelves nowadays. When purchasing, look at both the quoted price and the unit price to find shrinkflation.
You’ve probably heard of inflation. But what about shrinkflation? It is a sophisticated approach used by businesses to make price increases without garnering customers’ attention. In essence, rather than increasing the reported price, businesses reduce the size of the goods.
As a result, you obtain less stuff for the same cost. In some cases, you may find yourself paying more for less (unless you use discounts). Here are 12 notable examples of shrinkflation presently affecting consumers:
1. Charmin Toilet Paper
If you’ve noticed that toilet paper rolls are getting smaller, your observation is correct. Charmin, for example, has decreased the size of its rolls. Previously, Charmin’s Ultra-Soft Mega Rolls included 264 double-ply sheets. Currently, a roll has 244 sheets.
Similarly, Charmin Super Mega Rolls have been reduced. Each roll now has 366 sheets rather than the previous 396. Charmin is not the only toilet paper company undergoing this shrinking; Cottonelle rolls have also dropped in size.
2. Chobani Flip Yogurt
Keen-eyed customers may have noticed alterations to Chobani Flip yogurt containers. Buzzfeed says that the corporation has lately reduced packing size, resulting in shorter containers.
Previously having 5.3 ounces of yogurt, the redesigned packaging now hold 4.5 ounces, a 15% decrease. Chobani claims that this adjustment is intended to keep the snack under 200 calories. Regardless, consumers get less merchandise.
3. Tillamook Ice Cream
Ice cream fans, brace yourselves. Tillamook ice cream boxes have succumbed to shrinkflation. Fox Business reports that the corporation lowered the carton size from 56 to 48 ounces.
Tillamook addresses the size modification on its website, explaining that rising production costs forced them to choose between raising the unit price per carton and reducing the carton size while maintaining price.
4. Nescafé Azera Instant Coffee
Your morning caffeine fix may soon come with a higher price. Consider Nescafé Azera instant coffee, which was recently reduced from 100 to 90 grams per can. With the suggested serving size of 10 grams per cup, a can now yields one cup less.
Nescafé Azera blames this drop to rising coffee bean costs. The firm claims an 80% increase in Arabica and a 70% increase in Robusta coffee beans.”
5. Keebler’s Chips Deluxe with M&M Cookies
The hardworking Keebler elves aren’t producing as many cookies as they previously did. Whether you choose the standard or family size, Keebler’s Chips Deluxe with M&Ms Cookies are now available in smaller quantities.
Previously, the standard size held 11.3 ounces of cookies, which have now been decreased to 9.75 ounces, while the family size has increased from 17.2 ounces to 14.6 ounces. This corresponds to a reduction of 13% to 15%, depending on the size purchased.
6. Kleenex Facial Tissues
If rising prices are making you upset, you might want to think again before grabbing for Kleenex to wipe your tears. Unfortunately, shrinkflation has impacted Kleenex boxes as well. The quantity of tissues in a small box has decreased from 65 to 60.
While the difference may appear insignificant, it represents almost an 8% drop. As a result, each tissue now costs more, and even tiny price changes might add up over time.
7. Gatorade Sport Drink
Gatorade bottles have also been downsized. According to the Associated Press, the firm has discontinued 32-ounce bottles in favor of 28-ounce bottles, resulting in approximately 13% less Gatorade per bottle. However, the corporation says that the size reduction is unconnected to inflation.
Despite Gatorade’s statement that the redesign is intended to improve grip comfort, the smaller 28-ounce bottles are curiously more expensive, according to the source.
8. Milky Way Bars
Fans of sweets may be disappointed to learn that fun-sized Milky Way bars are no longer as pleasurable. According to Fox Business, a bag of fun-sized Milky Way bars now weighs 10.65 ounces instead of 11.24 ounces.
While the difference is modest, it is significant enough to be overlooked unless older and newer bags are directly compared. When exploring the confectionery aisle, compare unit pricing to locate the most cost-effective option available.
9. Gain Liquid Detergent
Users of Gain liquid detergent may have noticed a smaller bottle size. Bottles originally held 165 ounces of detergent, but now hold only 154 ounces. Fox Business reports that each bottle washes the same number of loads.
10. Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection Conditioner
Shrinkflation has also invaded the beauty and personal care sections. Pantene Pro-V Curl Perfection conditioner bottles have just been downsized from 12 ounces to 10.4 ounces, representing a 13% savings.
Despite the size reduction, the pricing remains at $3.99, according to the source. As a result, when your favorite cosmetic products are on sale, it may be prudent to stock up.
11. Heavy Trash Bags
Shrinkflation has made even waste disposal more expensive. Users of Hefty garbage bags may not have noticed, but boxes now hold less bags.
According to The Washington Post, Hefty’s tall kitchen garbage bags have witnessed a fall in amount per pack, with the Mega Pack down from 90 to 80 bags. This large fall in quantity has not resulted in a price change.
12. Frito Scoops! Chips
When choosing chips for a party or barbecue, keep in mind that you may get less product for a larger price. The Associated Press reports that party-sized packs of Fritos Scoops! Corn chips are now smaller and more expensive.
Previously containing 18 ounces of corn chips, the current bags on grocery store shelves now hold only 15.5 ounces, an almost 14% drop.”
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