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Consumers may have noticed their favorite snacks or household goods shrinking in size, but not in price. As inflation cools and price hikes get harder to justify, companies are quietly shrinking package sizes instead, a trend known as “shrinkflation.” According to Finn Hansen, CEO of PriceBeam, this tactic is becoming more common and may accelerate if new tariffs push costs higher.
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The impact hits both wallets and trust. Shoppers may not immediately notice a bag of chips or a pack of candy bars is missing a few ounces, but over time it adds up. Experts say many companies are now hiding price hikes through what they call “price pack architecture”—a fancy way to say you’re getting less for the same amount of money.
Not all packaging changes are purely about profit. Some brands point to smaller households, portion control, and waste reduction as reasons for offering downsized products. But make no mistake: whether it’s about waistlines or bottom lines, shoppers are paying more attention—and many aren’t buying the excuses.