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Historically, companies have used similar strategies for cost reduction. American Airlines famously saved $40,000 annually by reducing the number of olives served in salads. The underlying theme remains: cut back minor portions to avoid raising consumer suspicion while still achieving significant operational savings.
The Psychological Play of Packaging
Companies also employ psychological tactics and clever packaging designs that obscure the reality of shrinkflation from consumers. Walmart’s recent decision to reduce their Ultra Strong toilet rolls by 48 sheets demonstrates this well. By adjusting the dimensions of the product subtly—making sheets smaller and the core larger—shrinkflation often goes unnoticed.