Hands off my buns, choccies, cereal and cleaning products puhlease

Have you been hit by shrinkflation?

I wouldn't mind it trimming down my body but it's ridiculous when you notice your favourite chocolates (think Mars bars) or biscuits are getting smaller when you want to spoil yourself with a treat.

Shrinkflation is a hidden form of inflation, where a product gets smaller, but the price stays the same. Or increases. How rude.

Easter treats, breakfast staples and cleaning products are among the latest to get smaller and more expensive.

An investigation by consumer group Choice has revealed 10 grocery items that have been hit by shrinkflation including hot cross buns, cereals, chips and cleaning products.

Choice is calling out products that have recently been hit by shrinkflation and has asked brands why it's happening.

Choice believes retailers should have to disclose when a product has changed in size and value. I totally agree and I'm sure you do too.

Businesses have admitted to reducing the size of these items, and in some cases hiking retail prices, blaming rising costs and attempts to simplify production.

"Shrinkflation is happening more and more often, and consumers are frustrated at its prevalence in supermarkets. We've heard from many people who say their favourite products have reduced in size, and in some cases, become more expensive," says Choice journalist Liam Kennedy.

"Choice's latest investigation into shrinkflation has found some Easter favourites, breakfast cereals and cleaning products are among the supermarket items that have shrunk but gone up in price."

For instance, Coles' Mighty Grain was being sold in 560g packets in October 2022, but now can only be found in 495g packages for the same price of $4.50.

Woolworths has also downsized one of its cereal products. Max Charge cereal was sold in 560g packs until September last year, when the retailer began offering it in 495g packs instead.

Hot cross buns have shrunk by up to 30g since last year, going from 480g to 450g. That's enough to really make us hot and cross.

The report didn't mention chocolate bars which are shrinking. Chocolate makers have said is a move to ensure people eat more healthily.

On the subject of the cost of living crisis, Australia Post this week released its 2024 Inside Australian Online Shopping Report, providing exclusive insight into which Aussies spent the most online in the past year.

Baby Boomers spent almost $1 billion more than they did last year while younger generations cut back and opted for budget buys.

Average basket size was $98, down 4.6 per cent from last year.

According to the report, 9.5 million Australian households shopped online in 2023, spending $63.6 billion on online goods, down 1.2 per cent from the year prior.

Online shopping has remained largely flat with less spent online compared to last year, but the number of online purchases increased as Aussies turned to smaller, more frequent buys.

Social researcher and generational expert Claire Madden said: "We're seeing a growing confidence in older generations spending more than younger generations in each transaction.

"While Gen Z don't currently have the same earning capacity as older generations, they are showing they are still active, savvy, online shoppers who have a focus on lifestyle spend and search for good value."