Shrinkflation in Montreal: Products Getting Smaller, Prices Staying the Same

You didn't imagine it. That bag of chips really is smaller than it used to be. That yogurt container really does feel lighter. And your grocery bill keeps going up even though you're buying the same things.

Welcome to shrinkflation.

What Is Shrinkflation?

Shrinkflation is when manufacturers reduce the size or quantity of a product while keeping the price the same -- or even raising it. Instead of a visible price increase, you get an invisible quantity decrease.

It's a stealth price hike, and it's everywhere in Montreal grocery stores.

Examples You've Probably Noticed

Here are some real shrinkflation patterns we've tracked through grocery flyers:

The price per item stays flat, but the price per unit quietly climbs.

Why Companies Do It

Simple: a smaller package is less noticeable than a higher price tag.

Research shows consumers are 2-3x more likely to notice a price increase than a size decrease. So manufacturers bet that you'll keep buying the same brand without noticing the package shrank.

And they're usually right.

How to Fight Back

1. Check the Unit Price

This is your best weapon. If a product's unit price (per 100g or per litre) has gone up, the product has gotten more expensive -- regardless of what the sticker says.

2. Compare Across Brands

Store brands are often slower to shrinkflate than national brands. When a name brand shrinks its cereal from 500g to 450g, the store brand might still be at 500g for the same price.

3. Buy in Bulk (When It Makes Sense)

Larger formats tend to resist shrinkflation longer than smaller ones. But always verify with the unit price -- sometimes the "family size" isn't actually better value.

4. Use a Value Score

This is where tools like Kaso help. Our Value Score accounts for unit pricing and package sizes, so if a product has been shrinkflated, its score reflects the real value -- not the marketing.

The Bigger Picture

Shrinkflation isn't going away. As long as food costs rise, manufacturers will keep finding creative ways to pass costs to consumers without making it obvious.

The best defense is awareness. Once you start checking unit prices and comparing across stores, you'll see through the tactics -- and keep more money in your wallet.