Mars Inc, the owner of Galaxy chocolate bars, has reduced the size of its smooth milk chocolate bar from 110g to 100g, a 10% decrease, while prices remain unchanged or have increased. This move is part of a broader 'shrinkflation' trend in the food industry, where manufacturers cut pack sizes to manage rising costs amid high food price inflation.
The company confirmed the change, citing 'growing pressures' from rising raw material and operational costs. A Mars spokesperson said: 'We have been actively trying to find ways to absorb the rising costs of raw materials and operations... Unfortunately, the growing pressures mean that more needs to be done. Reducing the size of our products is not a decision we have taken lightly but it is necessary.'
Pricing is at retailers' discretion, but it is less than a year since Mars increased the recommended retail price for the 110g bar from £1.39 to £1.50. The company said the reduction was a way to maintain 'quality or taste' without passing on full cost increases to consumers.
Two-thirds of consumers have noticed products shrinking in size while prices stay the same or increase, according to Barclays research in June. Other products affected include Walkers 24-bag crisp multipacks, KP peanuts, Persil washing powder, and Whiskas cat food.
Consumer group Which? has called for supermarkets and manufacturers to be more transparent about pricing through prominent unit pricing. Sue Davies, head of food policy at Which?, said this would allow shoppers to 'easily compare prices across different brands and sizes of packaging'. In France, Carrefour has begun placing labels on shelves warning customers of shrinkflation on products like Lindt chocolates and Lipton iced tea.
