Shoppers at Asda have been left furious after spotting a sneaky change to their beloved Cadbury chocolate bars. The retailer has been accused of quietly shrinking the size of Dairy Milk and other popular varieties while keeping prices unchanged – a tactic known as 'shrinkflation'.
Chocolate Gets Smaller, Prices Stay the Same
Customers took to social media to vent their frustration after noticing the 180g Dairy Milk bars have been reduced to just 160g. Other varieties like Fruit & Nut and Caramel have also seen similar reductions, with no corresponding price drop.
One angry shopper tweeted: 'Another day, another product getting smaller. When will this stop? #Shrinkflation'
What is Shrinkflation?
Shrinkflation occurs when manufacturers reduce product sizes while maintaining the same price point. It's become increasingly common as businesses grapple with rising production costs, but consumers often feel deceived by the practice.
Nutritional therapist Hannah Braye commented: 'This is particularly frustrating when it comes to chocolate, as people often buy these as treats. Shrinking sizes while keeping prices the same feels like a betrayal of customer trust.'
Asda's Response
When approached for comment, an Asda spokesperson stated: 'We always aim to provide our customers with great value. Product specifications are determined by our suppliers, and we work closely with them to ensure we're offering competitive prices.'
The supermarket giant suggested that customers looking for better value might consider their larger sharing bags or multipack options.
Consumer Backlash Grows
This isn't the first time Asda has faced criticism over shrinkflation. Earlier this year, customers complained about shrinking packs of biscuits and reduced crisp packet sizes.
Consumer rights groups are calling for clearer labelling to highlight when products have been reduced in size, allowing shoppers to make more informed choices.
