Still, consumers are becoming less accepting of shrinkflation. That may be due in part to a frustration with higher prices in general, experts say. Plus, social media platforms like TikTok let people share shrinkflation complaints with a wide audience.
In some countries, like Brazil and France, laws require companies to disclose when they downsize a product without dropping the price. Many people think U.S. companies should have to do the same.
For now, Dworsky suggests shoppers track the size of items they buy often. For example: Do you know how many ounces are in your shampoo bottle? Or the number of your favorite granola bars in a box?
If you notice a change, you can figure out how much value you are getting for your money by calculating the unit price. That is how much a product costs per unit of measurement, such as an ounce. To find it, divide a product’s price by its number of units. (The unit price of a 10-ounce drink that costs $5 is 50 cents. That means each ounce costs you 50 cents.) Then you can compare product prices—and try to find a brand that’s a better value.
Your decision can make a difference. Businesses notice when people stop buying their products. The dollar, says Dworsky, “really speaks loudly to companies.”
—with additional reporting by Rebecca Zissou