Consumers Association: Shrinkflation Still Happening Regularly in Supermarkets
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Loading... - Radimir Sokolov
- 30 Jan 2025
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The Consumers Association has reported that shrinkflation continues to be a common practice in supermarkets, where products maintain their prices while the quantity or content decreases. This phenomenon has raised concerns among consumers about transparency and fairness in pricing.
In the past year, the Consumers Association's reporting point, Eerlijk, received 250 reports of shrinkflation. While this figure is slightly lower than in previous years, Consumers Association director Sandra Molenaar suggested that this could be due to many brands having already reduced their package contents in the past. She also noted that consumers may not be as vigilant in noticing these changes, as manufacturers often implement reductions in small increments, making them less noticeable.
Molenaar highlighted specific examples of products that have undergone shrinkflation, such as mature cheese from Maaslander and boxes of Ariel washing capsules. She pointed out that manufacturers have previously altered packaging contents in subtle ways, leading to smaller product sizes without clear communication to consumers.
In response to the Consumers Association's findings, some manufacturers have shifted the blame to retailers, claiming that shopkeepers set the prices. Others have suggested that reductions in content are justified by improvements to the product. Molenaar dismissed these explanations as "all bullshit arguments," advocating for greater honesty and transparency from manufacturers.
She urged that companies should clearly indicate any reductions in content on packaging or, alternatively, maintain the same content while raising prices. While she acknowledged that the latter option may not be ideal, she emphasized that it would be a fairer approach for consumers.
The ongoing issue of shrinkflation highlights the need for consumers to remain vigilant and for manufacturers to adopt more transparent practices regarding product content and pricing.
