Galaxy, a popular chocolate brand owned by Mars Inc., has joined the growing list of manufacturers who are reducing the size of their products while maintaining prices, a phenomenon known as shrinkflation. The company has cut the weight of its Smooth Milk bars from 110g to 100g, a change that has raised concerns among consumers who are now getting less for their money.
According to Galaxy, the decision to shrink their bars is a necessary one in order to absorb the rising costs of raw materials and operations, which have been impacted by the increasing cost of living across the UK. A spokesman for the company stated that they have been actively trying to find ways to mitigate the effects of these cost increases on their products and prices, but unfortunately, reducing the size of their products was the most effective solution.
Shrinkflation, a term coined to describe the practice of reducing the size of a product while maintaining its price, has become increasingly widespread as manufacturers struggle to keep up with soaring wholesale costs. Food inflation has peaked at 19.1 percent in March, according to industry figures, and consumers are feeling the pinch. A recent survey by consumer group Which? found that two-thirds of respondents had noticed shrinkflation on everyday products, including Lurpak butter and Whiskas cat food.
Chocolate, in particular, has been a common target of shrinkflation. Consumers have reported noticing the change in size of their favorite chocolate products, including Penguin multipacks, which now come with seven biscuits instead of eight, and Quality Street tubs, which have shrunk from 650g to 600g. Galaxy’s decision to shrink the size of its Smooth Milk bars is just the latest example of this trend, and it is likely that consumers will see more changes in the size and pricing of their favorite products in the coming months.
Galaxy chocolate brand
While it may seem like a small change, the reduction in the size of Galaxy’s bars has significant implications for consumers. For those who are already feeling the pinch of rising costs, the reduction in the size of their favorite chocolate treat can be a blow to their morale and their budget. In a time when consumers are already feeling stretched, the practice of shrinkflation can only add to their frustration.
Mars Inc’s decision to shrink the size of its Galaxy bars is likely to be met with disappointment from consumers who are already feeling the effects of inflation. The company’s failure to maintain the original size of its product while increasing the price has raised questions about the company’s commitment to its customers. As the practice of shrinkflation continues to spread, it is likely that consumers will become increasingly frustrated with the seemingly endless stream of decreases in the size and quality of their favorite products.
