Shrinkflation

Toblerone chocolate bar, 2006
2016 Toblerone bar from the United Kingdom with larger gaps between peaks, using 10% less chocolate[1]

In economics, shrinkflation, also known as package downsizing, weight-out,[2] and price pack architecture[3] is the process of items shrinking in size or quantity while the prices remain the same.[4][5] The word is a portmanteau of the words shrink and inflation. Skimpflation involves a reformulation or other reduction in quality.[6]

Shrinkflation allows manufacturers and retailers to increase their operating margin and profitability by reducing costs whilst maintaining sales volume, and is often used as an alternative to raising prices in line with inflation.[7] Consumer protection groups are critical of the practice.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference toblerone was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "More than 2,500 products subject to shrinkflation, says ONS". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2017-07-24.
  3. ^ J. Edward Moreno (2024-05-31). "What's a fancy name for shrinkflation?". NY Times. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  4. ^ "The scourge of Shrinkflation eats away at the man in the street like a cancer!". Perpetual Traveller Overseas. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
  5. ^ "Shrinkflation: When less is not more at the grocery store". The Conversation. 2018-05-28. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "ECB Meets To Tackle Deflation While Ignoring Shrinkflation". London, UK: Goldcore. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2020-07-07.

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