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Shrinkflation: How You’re Paying More for Less, Unnoticed!

Diarmaid McMenamin
6 min readOct 24, 2024

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You may have noticed something odd lately. That bag of crisps you grab as a snack or the chocolate bar you indulge in seems smaller. But hang on, the price hasn’t changed! What’s going on? This isn’t just your imagination — it’s a phenomenon called shrinkflation, where products reduce in size, but the cost remains the same (or increases), and it’s happening more than you might realise.

In a world where the cost of living is on the rise, shrinkflation is a tactic companies use to protect their profits while subtly passing on costs to us, the consumers. And unless you’re paying close attention, it can sneak up on you. So, how do you spot it, and what can you do to avoid being short-changed? Let’s look at everything you need to know about shrinkflation and how to stay one step ahead.

What is Shrinkflation?

Shrinkflation happens when a company reduces the size or amount of a product but keeps the price the same. So, you’re getting less bang for your buck while paying the same amount. In effect, the cost per unit of the product goes up, even though the price tag hasn’t.

Why do companies do this? It’s often a response to rising production costs. Everything from raw materials to transportation costs can increase. Instead of passing the full price rise onto…

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Diarmaid McMenamin
Diarmaid McMenamin

Written by Diarmaid McMenamin

Helping busy, time-poor professionals build a life of time and financial freedom by improving financial education and investing in property.

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