Aloha Everyone,
Combination of shrink and inflation, this compound word refers to package downsizing. Grocery items cost the same but at reduced content or in some cases replaced with inferior product. Coffee, cereals, ready-made beverages, bread, meat and seafood, all are impacted. Even vitamin bottles are using same size jars but with less content. The coffee can size is the same, but the net weight of coffee ground reduced from 16 to 12 to 10 oz.We noticed the alarming rate of shrinkflation during our recent 3 weeks in Istanbul. Some restaurants were constantly changing menu prices while others drastically reduced food amount. J.J. noticed less meat in the stew and more fillers like potatoes.
Consumer protection groups including the government watchdog are critical of these now widespread practices. Unfortunately, rising interest rates, poorly performing stocks, weather-related disasters, continued concerns over the COVID pandemic and tragedy of human & economic tolls of war in Ukraine are contributing factors.
Aloha -- Cathi
