Shrinkage

Listened to an interesting Korea 24 news report on "shrinkflation", i.e. when companies reduce the size of a product rather than more visibly raising a well-known price. Example: Wagon Wheels biscuits were as big as actual wagon wheels when I was a child. Now, they are barely large enough to serve as a spare for a Matchbox car.

Maybe I'm exaggerating a tad. The practice is widespread, though. The report noted that in some countries, governments are forcing firms to make it even clearer when they shrink a grocery - such as by initially placing these items in a special section of the supermarket. An aisle of shame!

Certainly, companies could simply return to edging up the price and hoping nobody notices. I remember, years ago, when the comic book "Viz" suddenly upped its cost...announced by a cover burst proclaiming "STILL ONLY". I was laughing so much I happily paid the extra. But screw shrinkflation. And screw modern-day Wagon Wheels.