shrinkflation

American  

[shringk-fley-shuhn] / ˌʃrɪŋkˈfleɪ ʃən /

noun

Economics Informal.

1. a decrease over time in quantity or in package size compared to the quantity previously sold at the same price point, resulting in a higher cost per unit for the consumer.

   The price is the same and the box looks the same, but because of shrinkflation, you’ll get ten percent less cereal when you open it up.

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Etymology

Origin of shrinkflation

First recorded in 2015–20; shrink ( def. ) + (in)flation ( def. ); coinage attributed to U.S. entrepreneur and economist Philippa (“Pippa”) Malmgren (born 1962), or U.S. historian Brian Domitrovic (born 1961)

Example Sentences

In 2024, Tropicana became the face of the shrinkflation epidemic.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

The great shrinkflation of housing in America is here.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

Carmakers have opted to charge more for delivery costs, reduce incentives or strip away features that might once have been included, a step Chesbrough likens to "shrinkflation."

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Plenty of food manufacturers have been reducing the size of their products, without dropping prices, known as shrinkflation.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

For customers frustrated by shrinkflation, Tropicana says the new bottles will cost about 70 cents less than their predecessors, though not all retailers have adjusted prices yet.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2024