Skimpflation: The Hidden Cost of Inflation to Secretly Shrink Product Quality
Be a savvy shopper
You’re strolling down the aisles of your favorite grocery store, eyeing those delicious snacks you love. But wait, something’s different. That bag of chips you always grab seems a bit smaller, yet the price tag hasn’t budged. What’s going on?
Welcome to the sneaky world of shrinkflation, where products magically shrink before your very eyes. It’s like a magician’s trick, except instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, companies are shrinking their products right under your nose while keeping prices the same. Sneaky, right?
Sneaky Products Raise Prices
Even Girl Scouts have gotten in on shrinkflation.
In 2024, Girl Scout cookies go up $1 per box from 2023, to cost $6 per box, and the number of cookies you receive goes down to 20 — or less — per box.
Depending on your cookie selection — that’s $0.30 to $0.50 per cookie.
No problem, if I’m purchasing a freshly baked treat. In fact, I’d expect to pay much more, but that is a high price for a prepackaged box of cookies, no matter how cute the smiles of the little girls who sell them.
