Nothing says Summer like delicious spoonfuls of ice cream, but you might notice that your carton isn't as full this summer as it was last June (and not just because you've started eating ice cream for dinner on the hottest nights). Aside from gasoline, milk is another expense that has been getting consumers' goats and ice cream makers have been struggling to keep costs at bay while the price of milk continues to rise.

Ice cream cartons are likely to be about a cup lighter than before as many brands have reduced their standard 1.75 quart containers to 1.5 quarts, but have continued to charge the same price. Why not just raise the price on the normal size? It's all about consumer psychology. Consumers aren't exactly flush with cash these days and any increase in price could make them turn to another brand. Find out which products beyond ice cream have used this strategy when you read more.

USA Today rounded up some very familiar brands whose shrinkage tactics are undeniable. Double check the unit price next time you go shopping and see how much product you're getting for your money.

  • Since January, Frito-Lay has cut the number of chips in bags across all brands from Lay's to Doritos, though not all product sizes. The biggest cut was to some 12-ounce bags of chips, which are now 10.
  • A jar of Hellmann's mayonnaise that was 32 ounces is now 30.
  • Shedd's Spread Country Crock was shrunk from 48 ounces to 45.
  • Kellogg downsized Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies and Mini-Wheats in 2006. Boxes shrank from 24.3 ounces to 24 and from 19 ounces to 18. Some boxes of Cheerios and Wheaties shrank as much as 1.5 ounces.
  • Bounty cut the number of towels on a roll from 60 to 52.

Source

Love This Email Print Facebook Stumble It!