According to UFC-Que Choisir, new consumer products are reported to be undergoing shrinkflation, a phenomenon which consists of increasing the price per kilo while reducing the quantity. Several references are cited, with supporting figures.
Consumers are watching. This Friday, UFC-Que Choisir published a new anthology of consumer products having undergone shrinkflation, a phenomenon implemented by food manufacturers in which the quantity of a commodity reduces, then that its price increases. But this discreet practice has not failed to be noticed by wary consumers. With supporting figures, the association gives concrete examples and calls for testimonies.
No ray spared
In shrinkflation, no ray seems to be spared. According to consumer reports, taken up by the UFC, 16 products are highlighted. And all departments have suffered an increase in their price with a reduction in their weight: drinks, sweet groceries, hygiene, oil-condiment, pet store and drugstore-cleanliness.
· Hépar, Coca-Cola, Fanta…
The six-bottle pack of Hépar has seen its price per liter increase by 58%. When the one liter bottle increases to 0.75l, the price remains unchanged. Results: the six bottles see their price per liter increase. A similar operation with Fanta lemon flavor (from 1.5l to 1.25l, or -17%), which has seen a 42% price per liter surge.
When the Sodastream concentrated tonic refill goes from 500ml to 440ml (-12%), the price per liter increases by 39%. Finally, the 1.5l bottle of Coca-Cola lost 25cl (-17%) while its price increased by 26%.
· Nesquik, Lion, Finger…
It is mainly on cereals that shrinkflation phenomena are noted by the UFC in the sweet grocery section. The 750g pack of Nesquik increases to 650g (-13%) and its price increases by 17% per kilo. The box of Crunch goes from 750g to 675g, and its price per kilo increases by 10%.
Two Chocapic references (750g and 730g) lost 14 and 13% respectively while prices increased by 20% and 39%. The 750g boxes of Lion caramel and chocolate cereals also increase to 675g and the price per kilo soars by 29%.
Finally, in the chocolate section, Finger biscuits go from 138g to 114g and the price per kilo increases by 21%. While 180g Nestlé white pastry chocolate loses 10 grams and its price per kilo increases by 4%.
· Adidas deodorant
The Adidas brand’s Fresh 48-hour antiperspirant deodorant for men goes from 200 to 150 grams, while its price increases by 45%.
· Terra Delyssa olive oil
One liter of organic Terra Delyssa brand olive oil increases to 75cl (-25%) while its price per kilo increases by 9%.
· Briochin soap
Briochin brand liquid soap refills go from 500ml to 450ml (-10%) so that the price falls below €3, notes the UFC.
· Friskies croquettes
The 18 kilo bag of Friskies brand dog food loses six kilos (-33%) and its price increases by 52%. An identical operation for Friskies chicken and vegetable kibble for kittens. When the 2 kilo bag loses 500 grams (-25%), the price per kilo increases by 70%.
This is not the first time that Friskies has been singled out for shrinkflation. In April, 60 million consumers already noted price increases for a reduction, sometimes drastic, in quantity.
The sleight of hand of the industrialists
For UFC-Que Choisir, brands get around the problem of shrinklation by a simple process: keeping the face value by simply reducing the quantity.
“They substitute a reference to a new one with the same recipe, in a new packaging identical or almost identical to the old one but of smaller capacity. […] It is more appropriate than ever to continue to scrutinize prices per kilo,” says the association.
To ensure that information continues to circulate, the UFC has set up a form to fill out to highlight cases of shrinkflation.
From July 1, this practice is intended to be better regulated, the government announced. Signs must be affixed directly to the article affected by shrinkflation or in the “immediate proximity of the products concerned”.
Only physical stores of more than 400m² will be affected and this display will extend for two months after the marketing of the products concerned.
