Pittwater Life April 2017 Issue

from 800g to 750g, but the
company said it still has the
same number of slices in
each loaf – and now uses an
improved recipe as well.
Birds Eye select mixed
vegetables are also smaller –
dropping from 750g to 690g
– but the firm claimed that
the change was partly down
to the introduction of zip-lock
packaging.
Manufacturers insist that is
the shops that set the prices for
customers. However, most admit
the product-size ploy is designed
to cut costs. Unilever said it had
reduced recommended retail
prices on items such as Surf
washing powder and Domestos
and Cif cleaning products, but
it was up to stores whether they
chose to pass this on to their
customers.
Which? suggested the
companies are using ‘Alice
in Wonderland’ tactics to
try to bamboozle shoppers.
A spokesman said: “When
Alice picked up a potion that
said ‘Drink Me’ she wasn’t
expecting that she would end
up only 10 inches tall.
“Likewise, when you are in
the supermarket picking up
a packet of vegetables or a
box of laundry powder, you’re
not expecting it to be an inch
shorter or 100g lighter than
last week.
“But that’s exactly what
we’ve found to be the case.
Products are losing 50g here
and a few centimetres there,
which is all adding up to a
more expensive shop without
you knowing why.”
Now you do.
Simon Bond of Morgans Newport (9998 4200) has been actively
involved in all aspects of Stockbroking since 1987. Simon’s area
of expertise includes equities, portfolio management, short-term
trading, long-term strategies, derivatives and fixed interest. His
focus is on how technology is changing the investment landscape,
demographic trends and how they influence equity markets.
Business Life
Celebrating 25 Years
APRIL 2017 53