Cadbury has recently reduced the size of its Mini Eggs bags from 80g to 74g, while maintaining the same price point. This phenomenon, known as shrinkflation, involves a decrease in product size without a corresponding decrease in price. Prices for Cadbury Mini Eggs can vary depending on the retailer, with listed prices ranging from £1.74 at Asda to £2.36 on the Cadbury website.
Mondelez International, the owner of Cadbury, attributed the size reduction to increased production costs, particularly for ingredients like cocoa and dairy. The company stated that despite efforts to absorb these rising costs, challenges persist, leading to the decision to slightly reduce the weight of the Mini Eggs bags. Mondelez emphasized that this adjustment was made to maintain competitiveness without compromising the taste and quality that consumers expect.
Notably, Quality Street also experienced a reduction in size from 600g to 550g during the Christmas season. Food policy expert Gavin Wren highlighted similar trends in other products, such as Nestle, expressing concerns about the continuous downsizing of popular treats. In response, Nestle defended its decisions, stating that pricing and product range adjustments are made based on various factors, including manufacturing costs and consumer preferences.
The ongoing trend of shrinkflation in the confectionery industry has sparked discussions about the balance between cost control and consumer satisfaction. As consumers navigate these changes, it remains to be seen how brands will adapt to evolving market dynamics while meeting customer expectations.