Sneaky manufacturers shrink packaging, while keeping prices the same
Skippy peanut butter jars now have an inward "dimple" on the bottom to reduce the amount they hold. (Source: CNN)Prices of your favorite grocery items are skyrocketing, but you probably don't know it. Many companies are using a sneaky way to raise prices without driving customers to less expensive brands: they are shrinking their packaging. A jar of Skippy peanut butter, for example, is the same height and circumference it has always been, but now has a hidden, inward "dimple" on the bottom that decreases the amount the jar holds by two ounces. Boxes of breakfast cereal appear to be the same height and width they've always been, but manufacturers have reduced the boxes' depth from front to back, decreasing the amount of cereal they hold. Rolls of Scott toilet tissue contain the same number of sheets as always (1,000), but the length of each sheet has been cut from 4 to 3.7 inches. A "six ounce" can of Starkist Tuna now holds just five ounces. When asked about the shrinkage, most companies point to higher costs for ingredients, manufacturing and fuel. Dan Howard, a marketing professor at Southern Methodist University, says the only way consumers can fight back against this sneaky way of increasing costs is to refuse to buy from manufacturers who engage in this deceptive tactic.
Comments
shrink packaging
You bet I'm going to check all packaging from now on. And as far as I'm concerned,skippy,starkist, scott toilet tissues, are never going to be in my shopping cart EVER!!!!!
It's not just those products....
It's also Bumblebee tuna. I noticed that Angel Soft bathroom tissue had shrunk when I changed the roll a few weeks ago. A "quart" of Hellman's Mayonaise now holds only 30 ozs., pounds of coffee have been shrinking for years. What is really annoying is that recipes that I have used for years call for a can of this or package of that and you have to adjust the recipes. I think the manufacturers should have to notify consumers of what they are doing right on the grocery shelf! A sign that warns us that the product we are buying is not in the original weight or amount. I am angry!!
Wizards of Oz
The Incredible Shrinking Packaging indeed...
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This has been going on for years
This started happening back in the 70's. How about McDonalds? The prices are now starting to increase but. the packaging was getting smaller just about on a yearly basis. The 1/4 pounder used to be bigger, as well as the pies, and I know everyone has noticed the fries, not to mention the coffee's
Read the price labels closely
I doubt "every" store does it, but almost every one I shop at has the cost/oz on the price tag. That part can't lie.
I'm shocked - no, really I am. Sorry if I sound sarcastic.
... and I thought they were shrinking portion sizes without lowering the price for the sake of our health.
Mars actually tried using that one on the public - years after introducing a "King Size" bar which they naturally charged more for than 'regular sized'.
A good point, though, PR Watch - well said.
In the UK many supermarkets
In the UK many supermarkets have price tickets on the shelf that show price per 100g of the product (or price per litre). It's written smaller than the headline price, but it's clearly legible. Makes getting away with packet shrinkage much harder. It also shows any saving you might get from buying a bigger packet rather than smaller ones..
Watery Dog Food
Texas supermarket chain HEB has found an even sneakier way to raise prices. Their store brand canned dog food is still 22 ounces per can, but they've greatly increased the water content. It now looks more like dog soup than dog food.
buyer beware
they're putting the new weight on all of the packages, so why is it their fault? the skippy peanut butter jars show on the labelling that they are 2 ounces less than usual.
Where has all of the
Where has all of the intelligence gone? I think the original poster is talking the dishonesty of the manufacturers. The decreases are so slight as to fool the consumer.....they can't tell at first glance that the packaging is smaller. Sure, they have always shown the price per oz, etc., but they aren't putting a sign on the store shelf that says the ounces, quarts, pounds are getting smaller. Even the "eco" companies like Seventh Generation, Stoneyfield and California Baby are doing it. Where is the sustainability in creating MORE packaging to go into the landfills (smaller packaging means we have to buy more often). We are all being duped and they are all sitting in their McMansions laughing.
Candy bars
I remember back in the 50's, when the candy bar went from 5 cents to 10 cents. The candy bars started becoming smaller.
sneaky stuff!
With all the cost savings in food distribution via technology like RFID tags, you would think the prices would be getting lower. You are already seeing this in our snack machines. Next thing you know, fortune cookies will be shrinking as well, and "in bed" will no longer be applicable! It could be better that we are eating less food out of deep fryers, but they could at least charge less! Well, one more reason to stay away from processed foods and vending machines!