Kyle just wrote to us that the 36″ sleeve on a Large Tall sweatshirt from JCPenney has been reduced to 35″. It’s not just a manufacturing accident, because the new length is printed in the retailer’s sizing charts. But Kyle says for years he’s had no problem with JCPenney shirts, and that this all started happening within the past year or so. [More]
Grocery "Embiggen" Ray Hits Safeway Ice Cream
By June 28, 2010
It seems the Grocery Embiggen Ray, the antithesis of the Grocery Shrink Ray, has struck Safeway Select ice cream and they’re offering up a whole two quarts, just like ice cream makers used to all do back in the old timey days. [More]
Grocery Same Size Ray Keeps Shaving Cream Same Size, Lies About It
By June 24, 2010
We’ve extensively documented the use of the Grocery Shrink Ray to fool humans’ puny brains into thinking that familiar products are the same size they’ve always been. But Jim has discovered something even more devious: the Same Size Ray, which has a similar but more nefarious effect on consumer products. It emblazons packaging with the exciting news that a product is now bigger: but it’s all a cruel lie. Maybe. [More]
Grocery Shrink Ray: New Tropicana Pseudo Half Gallon Jugs Spotted In The Wild
By June 2, 2010
We told you that freezing in Florida was going to take a toll on OJ starting in May and according to MousePrint.org, the shrink ray is on. Edgar got a hold of some before and after examples and did the usual postmortem. [More]
5 Ways Grocery Stores Rip You Off
By May 14, 2010
LiveCheap uncovers ways in which grocery stores make you pay more for less with subtle techniques you may not easily notice. It seems supermarkets can get mighty sketchy when it comes to arranging its meat section. [More]
Beer Shrink Ray Takes Away .8 Ounces Of Precious Red Stripe
By March 24, 2010
Bad news if you like to sip a Red Stripe beer while snacking on Wheatables. Exported bottles of Red Stripe have been zapped by the Grocery Shrink Ray, shrinking from 12 fluid ounces to 11.2. [More]
Wheatables' "New Look" Features .5 OZ Less To Look At
By March 23, 2010
Yes, it’s grocery shrink ray time. Behold Keebler’s Wheatables Toasted Honey Wheat crackers. The new look is pleasing and the package promises the same great taste… too bad there’s less of it. [More]
Banquet Spaghetti Meatballs Box Vs Reality
By March 2, 2010
On the left is a box of Banquet brand frozen spaghetti and meatballs. On the right is what is inside. Disappointed at the lack of visible meatballs, reader reader Sonia snapped the photos and sent them in. On the one hand, that’s what you get for eating $1.00 Walmart frozen pasta and meatballs. On the other, well, couldn’t they have left at least one in? [More]
Grocery Shrink Ray Zaps Ziploc
By February 1, 2010
Catastrophegirl says Ziploc has made its bags thinner, smaller and generally less useful in an apparent attempt to cut down on materials costs. She’s concerned that the flimsier bags may not be able to handle her sandwiches as well as the old ones. She writes: [More]
Protein Shrink Ray Hits South Beach Cereal Bars
By January 25, 2010
Some of Kraft’s South Beach Living cereal bars have been reformulated, and the new label boasts that, in addition to a “new lower price,” the bars have “twice the protein of the leading cereal bars.” That might be true, given that most cereal bars are made up of little more than corn, rice, corn syrup, rice and corn. But the new bars actually have 20% less protein than the previous versions.
Shrink Ray Renders Mini Coke Cans Even More Mini
By December 30, 2009
Sure, you can call Coke’s new 7.5-ounce mini can an exciting new marketing ploy, giving customers a nice, even, guilt-free 90-calorie gulp of soda. But reader Josh sees the change for what it is: a fancied-up version of the Grocery Shrink Ray. And not even his wife can convince him to buy them anymore. [More]
9 Shrink-Rayed Products To Mourn
By December 3, 2009
LiveCheap has scoured the grocery aisles to discover 9 products that have been reduced by the ubiquitous grocery shrink ray. [More]
Cracker Barrel Maple Syrup Struck By Shrink Ray And Sugar Ray
By November 22, 2009
Reader Kimaroo noticed that something was amiss with the with the single-serve bottle of maple syrup she receives with her French toast at Cracker Barrel. Not only did it seem smaller, she could have sworn that the bottle used to contain 100% maple syrup instead of “100% Pure Natural Syrup.” Fortunately, she had another bottle from a different Cracker Barrel visit stashed at home, and was able to compare the ingredients. Indeed, her maple syrup had been hit by the Grocery Sugar Ray: nearly half of its mapley goodness has been replaced with cane syrup.
Pet Store Takes Advantage Of Grocery Shrink Ray
By November 16, 2009
Dan sent in this pic from a local pet store. It reads, “After January 1st, bag sizes will be decreased, and these new prices will stay the same. For the rest of 2009 you will save 12.5% on all big bags of Science Diet dog food!!” I like how they’re spinning the reduced packaging in a way that benefits them and the customer, while also making sure nobody is fooled come January 1st.
Lack Of Grocery Shrink Rayage Is Peanut Butter Selling Point
By November 9, 2009
Matt spotted this jar of Jif peanut butter that proudly boasts its eluded the all-seeing scope of the grocery shrink ray and still packs 18 ounces of goodness within its plastic confines.
Coke's 90-Calorie Can Will Still Have 5 Teaspoons Of Sugar
By October 20, 2009
As part of its ongoing efforts to “help consumers balance calories consumed with calories expended,” Coca-Cola plans to roll out a 90-calorie can later this year. The 7.5-ounce can will include about 5 1/2 teaspoons of sugar (or high-fructose corn syrup), and may sell for about 50 cents per can.
Northern Hopes You Don't Notice Your Shrinking Toilet Paper
By October 15, 2009
Many readers have reported the Grocery Shrink Ray strike on Northern toilet paper, but today Jack and Richard sent us photographic evidence, and even calculations of exactly how much paper consumers are losing out on.
Food Makers Not Passing On Savings From Falling Commodities Prices
By September 23, 2009
The prices of commodities has dropped from their peaks of last year, yet food makers are not reducing consumer prices, reports Marketplace. Now this is rather funny, and familiar.
