The Great 'shrinking food and other items' Hunt

MrsStepford

Organix organic oaty bars have shrunk. Organix says that this is in line with govt policy on reducing calories for toddler snacks to 100 calories. 

Dustyevsky

Frustrated by yesterday's weather, I did some  measuring: a 5-minute investigation into the sudden lowering in price of Andrex luxury toilet rolls at both Sainsburys and Morries. I took rolls from the 'old' style 16 pack and compared them with rolls from the new one. The 'new' rolls were consistently 8g lighter than the old ones, which means the consumer is getting 128g less toilet paper in the new style, 'cheaper' packs. So, less money but less product too.

Not quite a bum deal, because the price reduction's significant, but fundamentally shrinkflation.

Farway

Dustyevsky said:

Frustrated by yesterday's weather, I did some  measuring: a 5-minute investigation into the sudden lowering in price of Andrex luxury toilet rolls at both Sainsburys and Morries. I took rolls from the 'old' style 16 pack and compared them with rolls from the new one. The 'new' rolls were consistently 8g lighter than the old ones, which means the consumer is getting 128g less toilet paper in the new style, 'cheaper' packs. So, less money but less product too.

Not quite a bum deal, because the price reduction's significant, but fundamentally shrinkflation.

I see what you did there

RainbowsInTheSpray

Is it a legal requirement for weight of product to be shown on packaging?

I noticed today in my local Tesco that the whole Pukka Pie range displayed nothing to that effect. Consequently the usual price/kg tag on the shelf itself was also conspicuous by its absence.

millie

Noticed this morning that Asda breaded cod has been labeled as new, the only thing new is the weight down from 500g to 440g.
I will buy it from Aldi in future their is still 500g and slightly cheaper too

Chrysalis

Consider all of the following shenanigans being carried out.

Shrinkflation - this thread.
Price increases.
Making single buy a total rip off, force people to buy more than they need if they want value via multi buy discounts.
High price base, achieved by making smaller items terrible value or removing smaller items altogether, similar to above, forcing people to buy more than they need.

I noticed e.g. I can no longer order margarine type spreads in tubs that were as small as I used to buy years ago, and the smallest tubs available now are only about 10% cheaper than tubs double their size.  Similar with things like quiches and pies. 

Christmas turkey is pretty much now only online in quantities to feed a large family, way too big for couple or single person.  Starting to see same with more and more products.

The interesting thing about this, is that it wont be good for obesity, something the government is on a drive to reduce, which ironically to me makes me think out of all the things I listed above as a way for vendors to increase margins, shrinkflation is probably the best out of the lot, as its the only one that doesnt increase expenditure (unless you feel you must have bigger portions making you buy more), shrinkflation would also help somewhat on obesity as well.

PLRFD

I can’t give you weights on this as the packaging has long since gone in the bin and I have only just heard the penny drop so to speak. A few weeks ago I bought a Lidl extra large chicken to try in the new air fryer I remember now I had to get my big cleaver and chop off a lot of the legs so it would allow the drawer to close and I had to physically push the bird down and squeeze it in. A few days ago I got another extra large chicken and a few days ago we had it for tea. I just plonked it in the drawer put  potatoes round it and let it cook away. It was only this morning I thought hang on the first one had to be butchered and there wasn’t room for anything else but the other day it fell in and I was able to get enough spuds in there for three people ? They were both extra large I’m 100% on that but something has changed.

jon81uk

RainbowsInTheSpray said:

Is it a legal requirement for weight of product to be shown on packaging?

I noticed today in my local Tesco that the whole Pukka Pie range displayed nothing to that effect. Consequently the usual price/kg tag on the shelf itself was also conspicuous by its absence.

No you can sell items per piece. Same with things like cookies or doughnuts where you buy a bag of five items, not a set weight.

jon81uk

Chrysalis said:

I noticed e.g. I can no longer order margarine type spreads in tubs that were as small as I used to buy years ago, and the smallest tubs available now are only about 10% cheaper than tubs double their size.  Similar with things like quiches and pies. 

Yes there doesn't seem to be 250g tubs available as much, but for the margarine type spreads it is still under £1 for the own brand 500g spread. If you want the more expensive spreadable butter like Lurpak that still comes in 250g as well as 400g, 500g and 750g.
Its how Tesco keep prices down, far cheaper to only make 500g tubs and no other sizes.
My local Tesco, Sainsbury's and Lidl all have quiche in both indivual and sharing sizes.

Chrysalis said:

Christmas turkey is pretty much now only online in quantities to feed a large family, way too big for couple or single person.  Starting to see same with more and more products.

Turkey's are big animals. If you want something for a single person or a couple get a chicken.

PLRFD said:

I can’t give you weights on this as the packaging has long since gone in the bin and I have only just heard the penny drop so to speak. A few weeks ago I bought a Lidl extra large chicken to try in the new air fryer I remember now I had to get my big cleaver and chop off a lot of the legs so it would allow the drawer to close and I had to physically push the bird down and squeeze it in. A few days ago I got another extra large chicken and a few days ago we had it for tea. I just plonked it in the drawer put  potatoes round it and let it cook away. It was only this morning I thought hang on the first one had to be butchered and there wasn’t room for anything else but the other day it fell in and I was able to get enough spuds in there for three people ? They were both extra large I’m 100% on that but something has changed.

Generally "extra large" will be a range of weights for example at Tesco it is 1.9kg to 2.3kg. It is possible one week you had a 2.3kg and the next week a 1.9kg. Tesco Whole Chicken Extra Large 1.9Kg - 2.3Kg - Tesco Groceries

MikMikandThriceMik

So today I went shopping for my usual 9 bars for £3, turns out it is now 7 bars for £3. I remember when it used to be 10 bars for £2.

One advantage is that my diabetes wont be affected as much now, so in a way the shrinkflation is  making me a bit healthier