Shrinkflation: Difference between revisions

Line 3:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinkflation -->

'''Shrinkflation''' (from “shrink” + “inflation”; Dutch: ''krimpflatie''), additionally referred to as also known as '''package downsizing''', '''weight-out''',<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Milligan |first=Brian |date=Jul 24, 2017 |title=More than 2,500 products subject to shrinkflation, says ONS |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724104410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |archive-date=2017-07-24 |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |website= |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and '''price pack architecture''',<ref>{{cite web |author=J. Edward Moreno |date=2024-05-31 |title=What's a fancy name for shrinkflation? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/what-is-price-pack-architecture.html |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |publisher=[[NY Times]]}}</ref> is a corporate strategy where manufacturers reduce the size or quantity of a product while maintaining an equal or higher price. The packaging often remains unchanged, making the reduction nearly imperceptible to consumers.

'''Shrinkflation''' (from “shrink” + “inflation”; Dutch: ''krimpflatie''), additionally referred to as also known as '''package downsizing''', '''weight-out''',<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Milligan |first=Brian |date=Jul 24, 2017 |title=More than 2,500 products subject to shrinkflation, says ONS |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724104410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |archive-date=2017-07-24 |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |website= |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and '''price pack architecture''',<ref>{{cite web |author=J. Edward Moreno |date=2024-05-31 |title=What's a fancy name for shrinkflation? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/what-is-price-pack-architecture.html |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |publisher=[[NY Times]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250930180629/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/what-is-price-pack-architecture.html |archive-date=30 Sep 2025}}</ref> is a corporate strategy where manufacturers reduce the size or quantity of a product while maintaining an equal or higher price. The packaging often remains unchanged, making the reduction nearly imperceptible to consumers.

Related to shrinkflation is '''skimpflation''', where the ''quality'' of a product or service is reduced instead of its size or weight, without a corresponding drop in price. Both practices are considered forms of “hidden inflation” that affect consumer purchasing power.<ref name="NPR">{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Adrian Ma and Darian Woods |title=Skimpflation is hitting your favorite services |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/19/1047035078/skimpflation-services-prices |work=NPR |date=19 October 2021 |access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref>

==Definition and concept==

Shrinkflation is defined by a rise in the general price level of goods per unit of weight or volume in proportion to the contents within a package diminishing,<ref name=":1" /> often leading to the price remaining the same.<ref name="Consumentenbond2025">{{cite web |date=7 February 2025 |title=Krimpflatie op krimpflatie: inhoud verpakkingen stapsgewijs steeds kleiner |url=https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties-claims/nieuws/2025/krimpflatie |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=Consumentenbond |publisher=Consumentenbond |language=nl}}</ref> In many scenarios, companies will redesign the packaging to hide these flaws, such as making the bottom more concave, or giving the packaging an hourglass-like shape that can slowly get more exaggerated.<ref name=":2" /> Alternatively, the physical product can be modified to include more air,<ref name=":0" /> or in cases where the product arrives in a boxed state, may quietly reduce the amount of product inside the packaging without significantly updating the packaging.<ref name=":2" />

Shrinkflation is defined by a rise in the general price level of goods per unit of weight or volume in proportion to the contents within a package diminishing,<ref name=":1" /> often leading to the price remaining the same.<ref name="Consumentenbond2025">{{cite web |date=7 February 2025 |title=Krimpflatie op krimpflatie: inhoud verpakkingen stapsgewijs steeds kleiner |url=https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties-claims/nieuws/2025/krimpflatie |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=Consumentenbond |publisher=Consumentenbond |language=nl |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112133201/https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties-claims/nieuws/2025/krimpflatie |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> In many scenarios, companies will redesign the packaging to hide these flaws, such as making the bottom more concave, or giving the packaging an hourglass-like shape that can slowly get more exaggerated.<ref name=":2" /> Alternatively, the physical product can be modified to include more air,<ref name=":0" /> or in cases where the product arrives in a boxed state, may quietly reduce the amount of product inside the packaging without significantly updating the packaging.<ref name=":2" />

==Historical context==

Line 39:

#'''Clear labeling''' when content is reduced.

#'''Public tracking''' of shrinkflation examples.

#'''Legal action''' against deceptive practices, potentially leading to fines of up to €900,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Consumentenbond wil krimpflatie bij de rechter aanpakken |url=https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/rtl-z/artikel/5414904/consumentenbond-wil-krimpflatie-bij-de-rechter-aanpakken |work=RTL Z |date=18 October 2023 |access-date=14 August 2025 |language=nl}}</ref>

#'''Legal action''' against deceptive practices, potentially leading to fines of up to €900,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Consumentenbond wil krimpflatie bij de rechter aanpakken |url=https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/rtl-z/artikel/5414904/consumentenbond-wil-krimpflatie-bij-de-rechter-aanpakken |work=RTL Z |date=18 October 2023 |access-date=14 August 2025 |language=nl |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240807031836/https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/rtl-z/artikel/5414904/consumentenbond-wil-krimpflatie-bij-de-rechter-aanpakken |archive-date=7 Aug 2024}}</ref>

#'''Engagement with industry''' to promote transparency, though supermarket chains and manufacturers have resisted mandatory disclosures.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinkflation -->
-'''Shrinkflation''' (from “shrink” + “inflation”; Dutch: ''krimpflatie''), additionally referred to as also known as '''package downsizing''', '''weight-out''',<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Milligan |first=Brian |date=Jul 24, 2017 |title=More than 2,500 products subject to shrinkflation, says ONS |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724104410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |archive-date=2017-07-24 |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |website= |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and '''price pack architecture''',<ref>{{cite web |author=J. Edward Moreno |date=2024-05-31 |title=What's a fancy name for shrinkflation? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/what-is-price-pack-architecture.html |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |publisher=[[NY Times]]}}</ref> is a corporate strategy where manufacturers reduce the size or quantity of a product while maintaining an equal or higher price. The packaging often remains unchanged, making the reduction nearly imperceptible to consumers.
+'''Shrinkflation''' (from “shrink” + “inflation”; Dutch: ''krimpflatie''), additionally referred to as also known as '''package downsizing''', '''weight-out''',<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Milligan |first=Brian |date=Jul 24, 2017 |title=More than 2,500 products subject to shrinkflation, says ONS |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724104410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40703866 |archive-date=2017-07-24 |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |website= |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> and '''price pack architecture''',<ref>{{cite web |author=J. Edward Moreno |date=2024-05-31 |title=What's a fancy name for shrinkflation? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/what-is-price-pack-architecture.html |access-date=Aug 31, 2025 |publisher=[[NY Times]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250930180629/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/what-is-price-pack-architecture.html |archive-date=30 Sep 2025}}</ref> is a corporate strategy where manufacturers reduce the size or quantity of a product while maintaining an equal or higher price. The packaging often remains unchanged, making the reduction nearly imperceptible to consumers.
 Related to shrinkflation is '''skimpflation''', where the ''quality'' of a product or service is reduced instead of its size or weight, without a corresponding drop in price. Both practices are considered forms of “hidden inflation” that affect consumer purchasing power.<ref name="NPR">{{cite news |last=Garcia |first=Adrian Ma and Darian Woods |title=Skimpflation is hitting your favorite services |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/19/1047035078/skimpflation-services-prices |work=NPR |date=19 October 2021 |access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref>
 ==Definition and concept==
-Shrinkflation is defined by a rise in the general price level of goods per unit of weight or volume in proportion to the contents within a package diminishing,<ref name=":1" /> often leading to the price remaining the same.<ref name="Consumentenbond2025">{{cite web |date=7 February 2025 |title=Krimpflatie op krimpflatie: inhoud verpakkingen stapsgewijs steeds kleiner |url=https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties-claims/nieuws/2025/krimpflatie |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=Consumentenbond |publisher=Consumentenbond |language=nl}}</ref> In many scenarios, companies will redesign the packaging to hide these flaws, such as making the bottom more concave, or giving the packaging an hourglass-like shape that can slowly get more exaggerated.<ref name=":2" /> Alternatively, the physical product can be modified to include more air,<ref name=":0" /> or in cases where the product arrives in a boxed state, may quietly reduce the amount of product inside the packaging without significantly updating the packaging.<ref name=":2" />
+Shrinkflation is defined by a rise in the general price level of goods per unit of weight or volume in proportion to the contents within a package diminishing,<ref name=":1" /> often leading to the price remaining the same.<ref name="Consumentenbond2025">{{cite web |date=7 February 2025 |title=Krimpflatie op krimpflatie: inhoud verpakkingen stapsgewijs steeds kleiner |url=https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties-claims/nieuws/2025/krimpflatie |access-date=14 August 2025 |website=Consumentenbond |publisher=Consumentenbond |language=nl |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112133201/https://www.consumentenbond.nl/acties-claims/nieuws/2025/krimpflatie |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> In many scenarios, companies will redesign the packaging to hide these flaws, such as making the bottom more concave, or giving the packaging an hourglass-like shape that can slowly get more exaggerated.<ref name=":2" /> Alternatively, the physical product can be modified to include more air,<ref name=":0" /> or in cases where the product arrives in a boxed state, may quietly reduce the amount of product inside the packaging without significantly updating the packaging.<ref name=":2" />
 ==Historical context==
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 #'''Clear labeling''' when content is reduced.
 #'''Public tracking''' of shrinkflation examples.
-#'''Legal action''' against deceptive practices, potentially leading to fines of up to €900,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Consumentenbond wil krimpflatie bij de rechter aanpakken |url=https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/rtl-z/artikel/5414904/consumentenbond-wil-krimpflatie-bij-de-rechter-aanpakken |work=RTL Z |date=18 October 2023 |access-date=14 August 2025 |language=nl}}</ref>
+#'''Legal action''' against deceptive practices, potentially leading to fines of up to €900,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Consumentenbond wil krimpflatie bij de rechter aanpakken |url=https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/rtl-z/artikel/5414904/consumentenbond-wil-krimpflatie-bij-de-rechter-aanpakken |work=RTL Z |date=18 October 2023 |access-date=14 August 2025 |language=nl |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240807031836/https://www.rtl.nl/nieuws/rtl-z/artikel/5414904/consumentenbond-wil-krimpflatie-bij-de-rechter-aanpakken |archive-date=7 Aug 2024}}</ref>
 #'''Engagement with industry''' to promote transparency, though supermarket chains and manufacturers have resisted mandatory disclosures.