The Incredible Shrinking Products
Mary Ellen Geist
9/19/2011
When you go grocery shopping, does it seem like you’re getting less for your money these days? Guess what: you are. A new survey sited in Consumer Reports Shop Smart magazine shows package sizes are shrinking, but the prices are NOT. The magazine says you have to be extra careful and pay attention to what’s on the labels and package. Some advice: look at different brands. For instance, Minute Maid still sells its orange juice in half gallons. but Tropicana shrunk theirs from 64 to 59 ounces - but, in some instances, the company is still charging the same price it would for a half gallon. Another case in point: Ben and Jerry’s packs its ice cream in pints, but Haagen Dasz shrunk from 16 to 14 ounces. The lesson: compare the unit price when you can. Try the in-store brands whenever possible. They can be up to 30 percent cheaper than name brands. But when big sales are underway, it's true: you should stock up. especially on things like paper goods, cereal and soup.