From July 1, supermarkets will have to inform their customers when products on the shelves have seen their quantity drop without their price decreasing, according to a decree published in the Official Journal on Saturday. All supermarkets of more than 400 m² in France will be required to affix a “visible” and “readable” label or poster near, or even directly on the packaging, of all products affected by “shrinkflation” , indicates the decree from the Ministry of the Economy, noting the announcements made in mid-April by the government.
“Shrinkflation” – from the English verb “to shrink” – consists, for manufacturers of consumer products, agro-industrialists or distributors, of reducing the quantities of products sold rather than increasing – too much – significantly the price, in a context where food prices have already increased by 20% in two years. For example, it is a tube of toothpaste with the same packaging as before, but with a lighter weight, which nevertheless sees its price rise, or even a packet of cereals that is lighter but more expensive.
Consumers will find the formula established by the text: “for this product, the quantity sold has increased from Foodstuffs and non-food products marketed in a constant quantity (weight, volume) are covered by the order. However, bulk or pre-packaged foodstuffs whose quantity may vary during preparation, such as those in the deli section of supermarkets, are excluded.