shrinkflation
noun (a blend of shrink and inflation)

Reduction in the size or weight of retail products, especially items of packaged food, with no corresponding reduction in the retail price. (chocolate lovers face smaller bars as shrinkflation takes hold)

Oxford Dictionaries

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Early 21st cnetury. Shrinkflation is the practice of reducing the size of a product while maintaining its sticker price. This raises the price per given amount of that product. Shrinkflation is a form of inflation that occurs mostly in the food and beverage industries.

The "shrink" in shrinkflation relates to the change in product size, while the last part of the term refers to inflation or the rise in the price level.

Most consumers won't necessarily check the size of a product, but they will notice if the price rises. For example, someone who loves potato chips may not notice if their favorite brand reduces the size of the bag by 5 percent, but will certainly be able to tell if the price goes up by the same amount.

Britain's Office for National Statistics (ONS) calculates that 2,529 products decreased in size from the beginning of 2012 to June 2017, while only 614 increased.

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TALKING POINT

Even though most people won't notice small changes to the size of a product, any drastic change may have a detrimental effect on companies concerning consumer sentiment. But eventually, any change will be noticed over time, leading to a loss of trust and confidence. Would you agree?

Adapted from "Investopedia"

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Thanks to Johanna for suggesting today's OWAD