Fewer chips for the same price: How to protect yourself from ‘shrinkflation’ in stores

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Right now, we are seeing the highest inflation we’ve seen in forty years.

On top of that, shoppers are finding they’re paying the same amount of money for less product.

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“I’ve been noticing that I’ve been paying more or less the same prices, or maybe even higher, for smaller amounts,” Patricia Roeder told Action News Jax.

What Roeder is experiencing is “shrinkflation.” She’s noticed her containers of spaghetti sauce and dish soap have been smaller.

Consumer World founder Ed Dworsky told our sister station in Boston shrinkflation happens when companies cut down on the quality, size, or amount of an item, but keep the price the same.

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“Manufacturers know that consumers don’t check the net weight and the net count; they can get away with it when they try to pull a fast one on shoppers,” Dworsky said.

Ultimately, consumers get less for their money.

“It’s been challenging to go grocery shopping on a weekly basis,” Roeder said.

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Shrinkflation isn’t new; Dworsky said it’s been happening for decades.

Roeder feels with the way tings are right now, it’s been a one-two punch.

“Watching the gas go up, watching prices go up every single items, fast food going up, it is pretty frustrating and scary at the same time.”

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Dworsky said shoppers are already good at being price-conscious, but fail to check the net weight of a product.

In the meantime, Roeder is hoping relief will come soon.

Dworsky said there are four ways to protect yourself from shrinkflation:

FOCUS MORE ON SIZE

Pay close attention to quantity and weight; it makes it easier to spot shrinkflation when your favorite product suddenly gets smaller.

“We have to look at the products we buy all the time. How many sheets on your rolls of toilet paper or paper towels? How many ounces in your orange juice? How big is the family size of cereal?” Dworsky said. “That’s the only way you’ll be able to tell if the manufacturer is tinkering with it when you go back to buy the next box or bag.”

COMPARE BRANDS

Check out a company’s competitors if your favorite product has downsized -- and don’t forget to look at the store brand.

“The store brand tends to be the last to downsize,” Dworsky said. “See if a competitor hasn’t changed and switch brands.”

COMPLAIN TO THE COMPANY

Write an email or a letter to the manufacturer to complain. It won’t stop shrinkflation but it could save you some money.

“Are Charmin or Cottonelle going to change because you wrote a letter? No, but they’ll send you some coupons,” Dworsky said.

USE UNIT PRICING

Unit pricing is the “price per ounce” or the “price per count” labeled on the shelf. Unit pricing gives buyers a good baseline for what their getting for their money.

“[With unit pricing] you can compare different products of different sizes and brands and find which one really is the best deal,” Dworsky said.

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