The prices of the products are slowly going up, but the package size remains the same. In recent years, some manufacturers have switched to the unfair tactic of selling smaller packages for the same or higher price without notifying the customer. The French are not going to put up with this deceptive practice. Under the new law, sellers will have to inform customers.
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What is smrskflation?
The concept of smrskflation is still unknown to some Czechs. Imagine goods for which you will pay the same price as you are used to, but the weight will be significantly reduced. Some manufacturers literally refuse to accept inflation and instead of fairly informing their customers of the price increase, they choose to do so reduce the volume of their products.
This practice, which is often considered a form of consumer deception, is also known as shrinkflation. The shrinking itself does not only apply to food, but also to drugstore goods, most often toothpaste or hand creams. It takes place gradually, purposefully, and mainly unobtrusively.
France will fight against customer deception
But with this deception of customers they have now decided to take a turn in France, where from July 1 a law will come into force that will order retailers obligation to notify customers to the fact that they buy a smaller package for the same price. This obligation will apply to small and large supermarkets.
The French government decided on the new law on Friday, April 19. This will require sellers to make deals regularly informed customers that they are selling a product that is smaller and therefore does not match the price, which remains the same. This practice is popularly called shrinkflation.
New signs on the shelves and product markings
Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced on Friday that he decided on the measures after realizing that the shrinkflation method was criticized among the general public. The problem however it does not only concern Francebut almost the whole world. “Consumers need to understand the real price evolution of products when they change their size,” said the French finance minister in a statement, whose words were quoted by the French newspaper Le Monde.
So how does a customer in France know that they are buying a reduced product? Retailers in medium and large supermarkets will have to list specifics next to the affected products unit price information and any changes in quantity. Furthermore, according to the Minister of Finance, signs must be clear and visible on store shelves for a period of two months.
The changes will affect the entire assortment
This requirement applies to a wide range of goods and not only to the food assortment. It will apply to all household products, cosmetics, hygiene, cleaning products and others. The Treasury said they would exist exemptions for unpackaged food and bulk goods, which include, for example, baked goods.
And it is precisely those who fight the most for consumer rights who acknowledge the decision of the French government. “This is great news because shrinkflation is a scam and a lie because it is done behind the customer’s back. Yippee high time to actbecause we have less money and prices are rising,” said the director of the Foodwatch France campaign to Le Monde.
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Even in the Czech Republic, it is still shrinking
For example, a company Bohemia Chips gradually reduced the weight of its packages. Originally the package weighed 85 grams, later the weight was reduced to 77 grams, and in 2019 even to 70 grams. We also experience something similar with the popular drink Coca-Cola.
Since 2017, already a drink Coca-Cola not available in classic two-liter bottles. Instead, 1.75 liter bottles are produced.
Sources: Le Monde, retail detail
Tags: smrskflation French turn
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