Grocery Makers In Australia Cut Product Sizes Without Cutting Prices

Consumers’ favorite grocery items, such as laundry liquid, deodorants, chips, and chocolates, have shrunk by as much as 30 percent without any corresponding reduction in price, according to News Corp. Australia. Manufacturers’ justification for the reductions include protecting the environment, portion control, and saving local jobs. Consumer advocates, who call such reductions “weight-outs,” claim making more money is manufacturers’ main motivation. Queensland Consumers Association representative Ian Jarratt said downsizing was manufacturers’ attempt at taking advantage of consumers’ focus on total price instead of quantity and unit price. Some of the most significant downsizing incidents include the 30 percent size cut in Unilever’s Omo laundry liquid and the 25 percent cut in Cadbury’s Caramello Koala chocolate product.