Hidden inflation is back!

[Sleepscratch]

Some years ago, during the Clinton administration, there were newspaper articles and news items about the shrinking package sizes of consumer goods. It was termed "hidden inflation" as CEO's were skimming the fat by charging more for less, and people had to buy more products to feed their families.

Now the same thing is happening during the Trump admin, and not a word from the usual suspects. If I'm mistaken, please correct me and link the article. I would be interested.

[Sherman A1]

1. This has been going on for years

while I don't have a link or a story one need only visit the supermarket to find the answer.

The 20# bag of charcoal is 18#s. The half gallon ice cream is some smaller derivative, the 1# bacon is 12 oz's, the 5# sugar is 4#'s and more as products are "Right Sized" for us consumers and much more importantly the corporate bottom lines.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

4. Those changes are a double whammy for consumers and higher profits for business.

Packaging costs and fixed unit sales costs (packaging, shipping, stocking, etc.) are a significant percentage of each item's price, and we pay those costs for each purchase.

The manufacturer and retailer makes far more money selling us a 12-oz version vs a 16-oz. because we'll be back to buy again sooner than before the change.

Smaller packages are also more stressful on the environment because they use more materials and put more stress on recycling and landfills.

KY.........

[Sleepscratch]

8. Trash costs

I'm so happy that recycling has become a big thing in most major cities, despite the debates surrounding it's economic viability. Plastics COULD be easily melted down at a low heat, if more attention were paid to the issue, with the exception of hard plastics. The guys that sort this stuff appreciate it if you wash your disposables before throwing them away, due to germs.

[WePurrsevere]

2. Back? I've referred to it as 'inflation by deflation'...

for quite a long time and first really noticed it around 25 yrs or so. It's not just package size either, it's the size of items themselves and a deflation in 'quality' and 'thickness' too.

It's a slow 'boil the frog' thing that manufacturers hoped consumers wouldn't notice and if they did they'd shrug it off or question their memories.

What really ticks me off the most is that this type of thing hides inflation in very underhanded way and it hurts all consumers but especially those who are barely scrapping by on minimum wage, Soc Sec (Retirement, Disability and SSI), veteran's benefits, etc.

What's rather ironic is that round the same time the above was going on both 'super size' and manufacturing larger size dinnerware gained traction.

[Sleepscratch]

7. I hear ya there!

Good point, but it actually did subside for a number of years. I feel the reason that it is happening again is that single moms are facing a hidden economic downturn.

[bearssoapbox]

3. Purina downsized 16# Cat Chow to 15# a couple months ago.

Yet still charging same price and coupons are fewer. They used to be in every bag.

We go through 4 bags a month.

It has also hit some different litter brands in last several years.

Scoopable,40# buckets down to 38# and now 35#.

We now get 40# bags of litter and food delivered for less than walmart and other things if needed.

Free delivery over $50 and dropped off at the door usually in 2 days.

It's a 27 mile round trip and my wife doesn't have to lug heavy anything which is handy since I am homebound at the moment.

I can help once it gets here at the house.

[democratisphere]

5. Corporate and investor insatiable greed will never end.

Every box, can, tube, bag, jar, bottle, etc. continues to shrink, along with the contents. It is disgusting. I have stopped purchasing many name brand products that practice this consumer screwing and found equal or better replacements that don't screw the consumer. BOYCOTT COMPANIES THAT SCREW THE CONSUMER!

[Sleepscratch]

6. People power!

If we could get enough people behind these boycotts, they would be a great idea! One problem is that so many companies have gotten away from consumer-friendly practices. Often, supermarkets will carry a specialty item that I like. I happen across it and buy one. Then, rofl, they notice that only ONE sold, and they take it off the shelves! The trick is, dealing with employees and management with respect.

[Farmer-Rick]

9. If they don't shrink the quantity while upping the price, corporations are adding crap

Do you know soup corporations are allowed to use recalled meat?

Not until we all started buying our cheese from corporations, were vendors allowed to add saw dust to it .

Ice cream can contain sawdust and wax, which is why low fat ice cream keeps its shape when melted. But it's legal.

Be aware of high fiber items, most of the time it is sawdust.