Morrisons has shrunk its own-label chutneys in a move it claims will help shoppers combat food waste.
The retailer confirmed it had downsized its ‘The Best’ chutney jars after consumers used Twitter to complain of the move.
One shopper tweeted a photograph of the old 305g jar of Caramelised Balsamic Onion Chutney next to the new 205g format that has replaced it in the retailer.
Tagging the retailer, they wrote: “It seems the size of your chutney has shrunk by nearly one third, although the price hasn’t. Surely this isn’t right?”
@Morrisons it seems the size of your chutney has shrunk by nearly 1/3rd although the price hasn’t. Surely this isn’t right?? pic.twitter.com/zoZsWOs9jh
— Peter T (@lycracyclist) February 10, 2023
Additional research by The Grocer using Assosia data revealed that several other SKUs had been swapped for smaller formats.
For example, The Best Beetroot & Orange Chutney 285g was replaced by a 190g format; The Best Apple & Pear Chutney 300g was switched for a 210g jar; and The Best Mango & Amarillo Chilli Chutney 190g replaced the old 280g format.
Morrisons confirmed it had shrunk the products but claimed it had done so in response to consumer demand.
“Customers have told us they are not using such a large jar, so we have reduced the amount to help our customers with food waste,” said a spokesman for the retailer.
It stressed it had lowered the price of its chutneys from £1.99 to £1.75 – a decrease of 11.1%.
However, this price decrease is not proportional to the size decrease of its average 300g jars, which shrunk by 30% to 210g.
The Grocer has approached Morrisons for further comment.
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