‘What a rip off’, shoppers fume as shock photo reveals Christmas chocolate favourite is getting SMALLER every year
A FESTIVE favourite loved by households across the nation has caused a stir online after appearing to shrink in size again.
Glenn Kennedy from Manchester runs a Facebook page where he and group members share the latest supermarket deals.
With Christmas 100 days away, he shared an image of one of the holiday’s most popular treats, Celebrations, to show how it has allegedly shrunk in size over the years.
An image shows three tubs on a kitchen table with a significant reduction in size between them.
The difference has left shoppers furious, with the tubs being labelled a “rip-off”.
Some are even calling for a boycott and are urging others to “stop buying them”.
Celebrations don’t appear to be the only item that has shrunk – Roses and Heroes also seem to have reduced in size.
“More plastic than chocolate,” commented Judith
Stella said: “I’ve stopped buying them as I’m getting only half of the tin for the same price. I buy bars of chocolate instead. Better value for the money.”
“Boycott them and don’t buy then they’ll be giving them away in January,” another person added.
Sue wrote: “Yes, just don’t buy them, it’s crazy.”
“What a rip-off,” penned Julie.
Glenn also shared an image of Christmas cakes lining the shelves in Morrisons.
This also outraged shoppers, with many saying that it’s only September and far too early for these sorts of items to appear in stores.
It has been reported that tubs of chocolates started appearing in shops as early as July this year.
With Halloween and Bonfire Night still ahead, many feel that it is simply not the right time to be selling Christmas treats.
“Really. Absolutely ridiculous.” wrote John
Antony said: “Ban Christmas stuff until December.”
“Yes, I saw it all last week. Too early” Patricia added.
“Far too early,” Lorraine commented.
However, not everyone was opposed to an early holiday shop.
Jenny wrote: “People are moaning about Christmas stuff in shops already, well you’ve only got three wage packets left, four if you get paid before the 25th, so glad my shopping is all done.”
Celebrations were first launched by Mars Wrigley back in 1997.
But the changes that have been made to them over the past few years have not gone unnoticed.
The tins shrunk by 38 per cent between 2008 and 2023.
This means that in just 15 years, the Christmas staple has gone from 975g to 600g.
And it now appears to have been reduced a third time – weighing 550g.
A spokesperson for Mars said: “We have been actively trying to find ways to absorb the rising costs of raw materials and operations, as we know the increase in the cost of living has impacted both consumers and businesses across the UK.
“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 for shoppers to still be able to enjoy their favourite Celebrations treats without compromising on quality or taste.
“The tub itself has also reduced in order to reduce the plastic used in the packaging by 17% to help us meet our sustainability targets as a business.”
It comes after Sainsbury’s shoppers were stunned after spotting an iconic Christmas food which had already landed on shelves.
And Christmas fams can’t get enough of festive McVitie’s biscuits based on a classic bakery treat.