Ever noticed your favourite chocolate bar costs more than it used to, but somehow looks smaller? It’s not your imagination. You’ve unfortunately fallen victim to shrinkflation – the sneaky tactic where products shrink, but prices stay the same or even rise.
For frustrated shoppers, it’s become an all too familiar trend. But there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel, with the federal government promising to crack down on the practice, with a new proposal to make unit pricing clearer and even name and shame brands that are shrinking products but still charging top dollar.
Despite action on the horizon, many Aussies have already had enough — and they’re venting their anger on the Starts at 60 Facebook page.
For Elizabeth, even treating her husband to a Toblerone has become a painful splurge.
“I recently bought a Toblerone chocolate for my husband. It was on half price special and cost $9,” she explained.
“They used to be a 400 gram block and cost about $8 full price just a couple of years ago. Now they are 340 grams and cost $18 full price. It is a complete ripoff!”
Another Starts at 60 reader, Kez, flat out refuses to buy anything unless it is on sale, given rising prices.
“Every week the price on every item in the shop goes up…by 50c or more….they will do themselves out of profit soon..as i dont buy unless its on sale,” they revealed.
Chris has also noticed his elderly aunt’s favourite treat, Cherry Ripes, aren’t what they used to be.
“The one pleasure my elderly aunt enjoyed in her aged care was a cherry ripe. I used to buy the 52gm size for around $1, then went to $1.50. size has now decreased by 15% to 44gm, but the price has now gone up to $3.00.”
And Elaine summed up the mood for many shoppers.
“It’s disgusting! So sly- they think we are idiots and won’t notice!” she said.
Even classic Australian biscuits aren’t immune, with the much-loved Monte Carlo recently at the centre of an uproar.
One frustrated shopper recently sent a photo to 3AW radio host Jacqui Felgate, showing a Monte Carlo with a noticeably thinner layer of raspberry jam and cream. Felgate later shared the complaint on Instagram, sparking hundreds of comments from fellow biscuit lovers feeling “ripped off.”
“What has happened to the Arnott’s Monte Carlos?” the shopper wrote.
“Monte Carlos have always been a favourite but as you can imagine with the steep rise in the cost of living a packet has sadly become a luxury spend. So you can imagine our horror when we opened the packet this evening to a long awaited treat to this …”
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Arnott’s quality director, Rachael Miller, told news.com.au that despite appearances, the biscuit has “not changed in recent years”.
“Similar to baking at home, there can be slight variations within an acceptable range. Each pack is weighed to ensure it meets the weight on the pack,” Miller told the publication at the time.
“At Arnott’s, we pride ourselves on high quality standards. If any consumers are unhappy with our products, please reach out to our Customer Care Team who can assist you further.”
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