Popular kids’ snack SHRINKS in size by 30% – but price stays the same
A POPULAR kid’s snack has shrunk by 30% in the latest on shrinkflation but shockingly the price has stayed the same.
Ritz boxes have shrunk by a staggering 30% in supermarkets The Grocer has revealed.
The disc-shaped crackers have been a family favourite since 1934 when Nestle first released them.
The crackers are lightly salted and are best paired with cheese and each cracker has seven perforations and a finely scalloped edge.
But shoppers may decide to not include the addictive snacks in their family round-ups once they find out how much less they are getting for their money.
Families will be used to 200g packs of the Original and Cheese flavoured Ritz.
But much smaller packets are now on shop shelves. Most supermarkets stock 150g and 140g packets which represent a 25% and 30% weight decrease respectively.
A spokeswoman for Mondelez confirmed the move to shrink Ritz packs.
She told the Grocer: “We understand the economic pressures that consumers continue to face and any changes to our product sizes are a last resort for our business,” she said.
“However, as a food producer, we are continuing to experience significantly higher input costs across our supply chain, with ingredients costing far more than they have done previously. Meanwhile, other costs like energy, packaging, and transport also remain high.”
“As a result of this difficult environment, we have had to make the decision to slightly reduce the weight of some of our products, so that we can keep them competitive, and not compromise on the great taste and quality that our fans enjoy.”
Unfortunately, the price of the crackers also varies from store to store.
For example, Asda and Tesco have the £150g packet priced at £1.25.
If you still want to get your hands on a 200g pack you will need to head to Waitrose though you will need to fork out £1.60.
Ritz crackers prices in supermarkets
What is Shrinkflation?
Shrinkflation is the combination of reducing pack sizes and putting up prices meaning products effectively cost twice as much as last year.
As the sizes of products are often written in small numbers on labels consumers are sometimes unaware the product they’re buying is more expensive.
Other examples of shrinkflation
Bags of Cheetos when bought in a multi-pack are now 25p per pack, rather than 12.5p.
They used to be sold in packs of eight for £1 but now come in sixes for £1.50.
A Penguin bar costs 5.8p more since a pack of seven is now £1.50 — 25p more than when they were in packs of eight
Pringles cost a fifth more each while a Tesco chicken jalfrezi works out at 23 per cent more per mouthful.
Magnum ice creams sold in multi-packs are now 59 per cent more — first with each shrinking from 110ml to 100ml, then the number per pack being reduced and now the price going up to £3.25 at Tesco.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
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