Shoppers outraged! See sneaky ALDI packaging change that's causing massive stir
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In the world of retail, change is often met with a mix of curiosity and scepticism, mainly when it affects our wallets and pantries.
The latest buzz among Australian shoppers is a controversial packaging change at ALDI that has left many feeling deceived and frustrated.
The term 'shrinkflation' has become all too familiar, and it seems ALDI may have joined the ranks of retailers employing this tactic, albeit with a twist causing quite the uproar.
For those unfamiliar, 'shrinkflation' is when products decrease in size or quantity while their prices remain the same or even increase.
It's a sneaky way for companies to pass on costs to consumers without the immediate shock of a price hike.
As the cost of living rises, savvy shoppers monitor their favourite products for signs of this subtle yet impactful change.
Recently, a post in the ALDI Mums social media group has sparked a heated debate.
An Australian mum shared her discovery that ALDI's Farmdale Thickened Cream had undergone a packaging makeover.
‘We’ve lost 100mls of cream—new price $3.75,’ a woman posted on social media.
Though appearing larger, the new bottle contains 100mL less product, shrinking from 600mL to 500mL.
The 300mL option also remains, but the focus is on the larger size many recipes rely on.
‘This is disgusting. They are even making the bottle bigger to trick people. Hope the price is significantly less,’ one user commented.
‘And they dared to put it in a taller bottle, just to trick us? This is a typical manufacturing tactic in times of poor economy/high inflation,’ another echoed.
‘This is why they change the bottle at the same time! So people don’t notice it’s not as big because it appears bigger,’ a third added.
The sentiment was clear: this was a blatant example of corporate greed taking advantage of loyal customers.
However, not everyone was quick to condemn. Some pointed out that the price had decreased from $4.49 to $3.75, making the cost per 100mL roughly the same.
‘The old price for 600ml is $4.49 - the new price for 500ml is $3.75, so the unit price is pretty much the same 75c per 100ml. No shrinkflation - so please just stop,’ one countered.
Beyond the initial shock of the change, the practical implications quickly came to light.
Many recipes, particularly in baking and cooking, call for precise measurements.
The standard 600mL bottle was perfect for these recipes, and the reduction to 500mL means that consumers now have to purchase two bottles to meet their needs, potentially leading to waste or higher costs in the long run.
Despite the outcry, some shoppers welcomed the new packaging.
‘Oh, I like the new bottle though!’ one praised.
‘Like the new bottle cream will stay fresher longer,’ a second commenter noted.
‘Sorry to be the flip coin, but I really can't stand the current lids, so a standard bottle lid is okay with me,’ another argued.
‘I always end up with extra cream in the end. As a baker and sweet maker, I find that my recipes call for a cup (250ml), so to me, this just means less waste,’ a fourth chimed in.
Have you noticed similar packaging changes at your local supermarket? How do you feel about the concept of 'shrinkflation'? Join the conversation and let us know in the comments below.
The latest buzz among Australian shoppers is a controversial packaging change at ALDI that has left many feeling deceived and frustrated.
The term 'shrinkflation' has become all too familiar, and it seems ALDI may have joined the ranks of retailers employing this tactic, albeit with a twist causing quite the uproar.
For those unfamiliar, 'shrinkflation' is when products decrease in size or quantity while their prices remain the same or even increase.
It's a sneaky way for companies to pass on costs to consumers without the immediate shock of a price hike.
As the cost of living rises, savvy shoppers monitor their favourite products for signs of this subtle yet impactful change.
A packaging change in Farmdale Thickened Cream has been noticed by ALDI shoppers, with 100ml less product, sparking discussions of 'shrinkflation'. Credit: Facebook
Recently, a post in the ALDI Mums social media group has sparked a heated debate.
An Australian mum shared her discovery that ALDI's Farmdale Thickened Cream had undergone a packaging makeover.
‘We’ve lost 100mls of cream—new price $3.75,’ a woman posted on social media.
Though appearing larger, the new bottle contains 100mL less product, shrinking from 600mL to 500mL.
The 300mL option also remains, but the focus is on the larger size many recipes rely on.
‘This is disgusting. They are even making the bottle bigger to trick people. Hope the price is significantly less,’ one user commented.
‘And they dared to put it in a taller bottle, just to trick us? This is a typical manufacturing tactic in times of poor economy/high inflation,’ another echoed.
‘This is why they change the bottle at the same time! So people don’t notice it’s not as big because it appears bigger,’ a third added.
The sentiment was clear: this was a blatant example of corporate greed taking advantage of loyal customers.
However, not everyone was quick to condemn. Some pointed out that the price had decreased from $4.49 to $3.75, making the cost per 100mL roughly the same.
‘The old price for 600ml is $4.49 - the new price for 500ml is $3.75, so the unit price is pretty much the same 75c per 100ml. No shrinkflation - so please just stop,’ one countered.
Beyond the initial shock of the change, the practical implications quickly came to light.
Many recipes, particularly in baking and cooking, call for precise measurements.
The standard 600mL bottle was perfect for these recipes, and the reduction to 500mL means that consumers now have to purchase two bottles to meet their needs, potentially leading to waste or higher costs in the long run.
Despite the outcry, some shoppers welcomed the new packaging.
‘Oh, I like the new bottle though!’ one praised.
‘Like the new bottle cream will stay fresher longer,’ a second commenter noted.
‘Sorry to be the flip coin, but I really can't stand the current lids, so a standard bottle lid is okay with me,’ another argued.
‘I always end up with extra cream in the end. As a baker and sweet maker, I find that my recipes call for a cup (250ml), so to me, this just means less waste,’ a fourth chimed in.
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