Saving in the supermarket: Recognizing deceptive packages and shrinkflation - financial expert explains

Saving in the supermarket: Recognizing deceptive packages and shrinkflation - financial expert explains

According to a report by www.merkur.de, the consumer advice center has pointed out that supermarkets often use deceptive packaging to disguise price increases. This so-called shrinkflation causes packaging to become smaller while the price remains the same.

Shrinkflation is a method in which the content of a product is reduced while the price remains unchanged. Companies use this measure to carry out hidden price increases that are not directly visible to consumers. Another technique used by companies is called skimpflation, which involves inserting cheaper ingredients into a product.

The effects of shrinkflation and skimflation are immediate for consumers as they receive less product for their money. The consumer advice center warns that deceptive packaging is often encountered, particularly with products such as chips, confectionery, cheese, frozen products, detergents and drugstore items. These practices can lead to a hidden increase in the price of daily purchases as the amount of product received decreases.

To protect themselves from deceptive packaging, consumers should pay attention to the filling quantities and check the packaging carefully. In addition, it is advisable to pay attention to specifying the price in liters or kilos in order to calculate the actual value of the product. The Hamburg Consumer Center offers a list of known deceptive packages that can help consumers identify them.

These practices can influence consumer consumption habits and lead to increased distrust of supposed special offers. Since consumers tend to pay attention to the price per unit, they may switch to other brands or alternative shopping options if they discover a deceptive package.