Nestlé Scorched Almonds has earned Consumer NZ’s Yeah, Nah “Scorched by Shrinkflation” award. The pack has shrunk from 240g to 180g, but the accompanying drop in price doesn’t add up.
Nestlé Scorched Almonds are often bought for a special occasion – a thank you gift or a Christmas treat. But we think the downsized 180g offering, which claims to be “the perfect little gift” just feels too, well, little!
One of our Consumer staffers noticed this product had shrunk in size on a trip to the supermarket. This was quickly followed up by an email from an eagle-eyed consumer alerting us to the smaller packaging.
What’s changed with Scorched Almonds?
A spokesperson told us Nestlé regularly reviews its products in response to a range of factors including the cost and availability of raw ingredients, distribution costs, packaging, labour and production costs.
“The change in pack size was implemented in May 2026 as part of our broader efforts to manage these cost pressures while continuing to offer consumers a quality product at a competitive price.”
The spokesperson told us that the recommended retail price of the packet had decreased from $10.70 (240g) to $9.50 (180g). We did the maths: that’s a drop in weight of 25%, despite the price only falling by 11%. So, that’s an increase in the unit price of more than 18% per 100g of scorched almonds.
Consumers feel ripped off by shrinkflation
Shrinkflation (where a company downsizes its product) is a tactic used by industry to sneakily maximise profits. Sometimes the price does decrease at the same time, but usually not by the same percentage as the product, which is the case here.
The Scorched Almond example isn’t an isolated one – although at 25% it’s one of the most significant we’ve found. Consumer’s 2026 supermarket insights survey found 72% of New Zealanders have noticed shrinkflation, with 16% of respondents feeling ripped off or cheated and 14% angry, frustrated or annoyed.
While manufacturers may be the ones changing pack sizes, 76% of respondents think supermarkets aren’t transparent enough about the tactic.
What we’d like to see on the shelf
Almost half (47%) of New Zealanders feel there should be some form of signage, advertising, or information in store or on the package to indicate it is now smaller.
Of course, there’s nothing legally wrong with companies reducing the size of their packaging. But we think they should make it clear when they're changing their products to ensure consumers are in the know.
Yeah, Nah Awards
Our Yeah, Nah Awards highlight the worst of the worst in business to pressure poor-performing companies to up their game.
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