The growing trend in shrinking consumer products[SIZE=-1]
A recent post on our new sibling site, Consumerist.com, details the downsizing of Dawn Ultra antibacterial dishwashing liquid and hand soap?the erstwhile 11-ounce container has lost 0.7 ounces.We've been covering this consumer-product trend for years, most recently in the October 2008 story "The Lowdown on Downsized Products," which offers some tips to stretch your shopping dollars as manufacturers shrink their packages but rarely lower your cost.
We also know that you're aware of these moves by manufacturers. Seventy-five percent of respondents to a July 2008 survey conducted by the Consumer Reports NationalResearch Center indicated they noticed that they're getting less in packages; 71 percent said the desire by companies to hide price increases from consumers was the main reason for the contracting containers.
If you come across other shrinking home products?dishwasher detergents or dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents or fabric softeners, and other household cleaners?send us a note with all the details or post a comment below.
Essential information: Learn about the best dishwashing liquids. For Dawn devotees, you might be able to offset any packaging shenanigans with special offers from manufacturer Procter & Gamble.
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Subscribe now![/SIZE]
Subscribe to [SIZE=-1]ConsumerReports.org[/SIZE] for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. [SIZE=-1]Update your feed preferences[/SIZE]