Prices are rising, sizes are shrinking: This is how preisrunter.at protects buyers!

Prices are rising, sizes are shrinking: This is how preisrunter.at protects buyers!

As the cost of living rises, many everyday products have become more expensive, while at the same time the pack sizes are gradually becoming smaller. This leads to a hidden price increase known as “shrinkflation.” These developments concern many consumers and require a strategic approach to purchasing.

The independent price comparison platform preisrunter.at is a valuable aid. It compares the prices of around 350,000 products in 13 markets on a daily basis and provides information about current special offers. The app also offers the option of creating individual shopping carts and sharing them as shopping lists, which makes shopping even easier.

Visible changes in prices

A concrete example of the price increases is the price for 250 grams of butter, which rose by an average of 30 percent last year. Popular products such as Milka chocolate are also affected: the contents of the packaging have been reduced from 100 to 90 grams, which is often not immediately obvious to consumers. Detergents also show a similar development: On average, they contain up to 10 percent less content, although the price remains the same.

“Shrinkflation,” a combination of the terms “to shrink” and “inflation,” aptly describes this type of price increase. The price of products is often not adjusted, while the contents of the packs are discreetly reduced. The Hamburg Consumer Center has documented numerous examples of this practice, which show how providers implement these methodological changes in order to avoid having to pass on increased costs directly to customers.

Transparency is key

The preisrunter.at platform creates transparency regarding price fluctuations through its price alarm function. Users will be notified by email if prices change. In addition, the platform not only shows current prices, but also important information about changes in pack sizes. This gives consumers the opportunity to make more cost-effective decisions and protect themselves against hidden price increases.

Overall, such technologies create the opportunity to react better to your own purchasing strategy. Although customers can make targeted savings by comparing prices, they also learn to recognize market shifts and price trends at an early stage. This is particularly important at a time when inflation is weighing heavily on many households.

Test.de reports similar trends and highlights that most shrinkflation examples come from the Hamburg Consumer Center, which compared the old and new versions of the products below market prices. In addition, the changes in content quantities are often difficult to notice, which can lead consumers into a cost trap.

The development of pricing strategies by providers and the accompanying behavioral changes among consumers show that these days it is more important than ever to be informed and to regularly compare offers. With the tools and technologies like preisrunter.at Customers can gain more control over their spending and face the challenges of shrinkflation.