Several shoppers say they’ve been left feeling disappointed and angered after spotting the change ahead of Christmas
Supermarket shoppers have been left furious after seeing a major change to a Christmas staple. Some have been so unimpressed they have branded the move a “disappointment”.
It comes as Jacqui posted a picture in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group from her local Tesco. Thinking she was doing fellow savvy shoppers a favour, she highlighted a display of festive chocolate tubs that had a special offer on, reducing the standard £6 price down to £3.95 when scanning your Clubcard at the checkout.
The range included classic tubs of Celebrations, Heroes, Quality Street and Roses – all filled with bite-sized chocolates that most people are partial to during December. However, shoppers were quick to notice a major change they are convinced has happened since they were last on sale.
Whilst a few were grateful, tagging friends and family with a good tip to stock up now ahead of the festive rushes that will come closer to December 25, many pointed out how they believe the tubs had shrunk in size. One said: “It used to be a celebration buying them but the size is much smaller now. A disappointment!”
Another wrote: “Wow look how small they are! Better off buying multi packs of chocolates and making your own chocolate hamper instead!” A third commented: “This has me raging. How dare they take chocolate away from us – at Christmas!”
Someone else wrote: “The celebrations tin looks like frisbees, ridiculous sizes nowadays! Shrink the size and increase the price! “I’m an 80s baby and remember the large glass Rose’s Bottles and big metal Quality Street tins. They put these to shame!”
Known as ‘shrinkflation’, experts at the University of Birmingham explained why we often see this happening with beloved chocolate treats. A University of Birmingham spokesperson said: “Once again, shrinkflation strikes and this time it is our chocolates in its sights.
“This year some tubs are reported to be reduced from 600g to 550g. Shrinkflation is when we see pack sizes getting smaller but prices remain the same or even increase.
“Over the last couple of years with the cost of living crisis we have all felt the effects of spiralling prices at the supermarket. Retailers and manufacturers have not been immune from rising costs and shrinkflation has been one tactic to try and manage this.
“There is a perception by the customer that the product is the same price, but a reduced pack size means that the product change is concealed and less immediately apparent.”
The ‘shrink’ was spotted coming as early as July, according to a report by The Grocer, which found that the packaging would be getting smaller by 50g which works out at five less sweets. When approached by The Grocer, a spokeswoman for Mars Wrigley said the business had “been actively trying to find ways to absorb the rising costs of raw materials and operations”.
They added: “Reducing the size of our products is not a decision we have taken lightly but it is necessary for shoppers to still be able to enjoy their favourite Celebrations treats without compromising on quality or taste.” In addition to removing sweets, Mars Wrigley had shrunk the tub itself “to reduce the plastic used in the packaging by 17%”, the spokeswoman cpnfirmed.
The Tesco offer has ended at the time of writing this article. As of October 2, the tubs have returned to their full price of £6.