Butter and crisps are among the products that have been hit most by shrinkflation – the practice of reducing the quantity of product in a package – over the past 10 years, a new study has found.
According to research by Compare the Market, digestive biscuits have been hit the hardest by shrinkflation with a 28% decrease in size since 2014, followed by Choco Pops, which have shrunk by 24%, leading to a unit cost jump of 61%.
Digestive biscuits have also been hit the hardest by inflation over the same period, with the unit cost increasing by 129%, which Compare the Market said meant that Brits are now paying 71p more for the biscuits, but getting 28% less for their money.
The five products hit most by shrinkflation
|
Rank |
Item |
Item size difference (%) |
|
1 |
Digestive Biscuits |
-28% |
|
2 |
Choco Pops |
-24% |
|
3 |
Butter |
-20% |
|
4 |
Crisps |
-17% |
|
5 |
Corn Flakes |
-10% |
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Among the items that have seen the biggest price increases are baked beans, with the cost per item rising by 72p, marking a 106% increase in both item and unit price.
However, some items investigated have actually become cheaper, with pasta having seen the biggest drop and is now 20p less than it was 10 years ago – a decrease of 21%.
This was followed by chicken breasts, with the cost for two dropping by 35p or 12%, grapes which now cost 20p or 10% less, and coffee which costs 29p or 4% less per jar.
How major products compare
|
Grocery Item |
Price increase per item (%) |
Price increase per item (£) |
Price increase per unit (%) |
Item size difference (%) |
|
|
Digestive Biscuits |
65% |
£0.71 | 129% | -28% | |
|
Baked Beans (can) |
106% | £0.72 | 106% | 0% | |
|
Olive Oil (litre) |
105% | £4.00 | 105% | 0% | |
|
Ketchup |
71% | £1.25 | 71% | 0% |
|
|
Mayonnaise |
64% | £1.46 | 64% | 0% |
|
|
Choco Pops |
23% | £0.61 | 61% | -24% |
|
|
Lamb Leg |
59% | £10.41 | 59% | 0% |
|
|
Butter (block) |
26% | £0.45 | 58% | -20% |
|
|
Broccoli |
55% | £0.29 | 55% | 0% |
|
|
Bacon |
50% | £0.75 | 50% | 0% |
|
|
Milk (pint) |
45% | £0.45 | 45% | 0% |
|
|
Crisps (6pk) |
20% | £0.37 | 44% | -17% |
|
|
Rice |
43% | £0.56 | 43% | 0% |
|
|
Eggs (6) |
42% | £0.55 | 42% | 0% |
|
|
Cheddar Cheese |
40% | £1.00 | 40% | 0% |
