Downsizing
I've concluded that a majority of my posts are about 3 things: the 80s, ice cream, and Del Taco (aside from Lucy/Owen happenings). Strange? Probably. So, here we go again.
Has anyone noticed this?
Here's another view:
The same ice cream, but two different sizes of cartons. Yes folks, the ice cream people are making their cartons smaller. Here's the proof. The top picture is the newer carton and the bottom, the older cartons:
I understand the reasoning: instead of raising prices, just make the carton slightly smaller and people think they're still getting the same old deal (similar to when Ryan from The Office was on Conan complaining about the downsizing of Cadbury Eggs this past year). But WHY would you put both sizes of cartons of the SAME exact flavor on the same shelf together?? Way to tip us off to your mean ploy. At least Breyers was a little more discrete about their size change. The cartons on the left are tapered to the bottom and they too are 1.5 qts, instead of the 1.75 carton on the right:
I guess what I'd like to know is: when do all the ice cream people get together and decide it's time to shrink the cartons? It's like they're all in cahoots together. Unless Breyers and Dreyers are owned by the same parent company? But they aren't. My husband, the research analyst, confirmed this (Dreyers is a client of theirs). The bright side is, I've only noticed the size change on Dreyers and Breyers but not on other brands (yet).
Conclusion...I guess it's okay if the ice cream seems to disappear in our house faster than usual these days.
15 comments:
OK--I TOTALLY noticed this the last time I bought the Dryer's Slow Churned. The regular full fat ice cream cartons next to them were larger, so I just figured it was because it was the "diet" ice cream and they were trying to help me out by now not give me a big ol' tub of ice cream to stuff my face with.
Hmmm, so it's all of them, huh. I suppose it's better for me in the long run.
Total conspiracy! I'd protest and not buy their ice cream anymore, but I like it too much to give it up.
I hate it when people get all sneaky.
I hate it more when they're not very good at it.
I noticed that too a couple of weeks ago when I went to buy ice cream for Mom and Jer's party. Mer wanted something with brownies in it. I'm a huge Dryers fan so I found a yummy flavor in brownies of theirs that I hadn't noticed before. First I realized that they had changed the look of their label and then I noticed the size change! I was so bugged that it was smaller that I totally didn't buy it. Poor Mer had to settle for plain old chocolate instead. Seriously, that's so bugging!!
Good catch, Dana, I would not have noticed this at all!
I normally just buy whatever ice cream is cheapest, so when Dreyers or Breyers (they are the same to me!) was on sale I just snagged one, not noticing anything. Literally when I got home (from buying only the ice cream) I saw you post. I thought it was funny you were reporting on how I just was tricked!
I love your ice cream posts and even more, I love that you took these pictures in the store!
That is frustrating! But honestly I'd rather pay more for ice cream than gas. I can live with out my car but I can't live with out ice cream.
I love this post because I, too am addicted to ice cream. Last week I noticed that the price of Skinny Cow's went up 60 cents. Due to the price hike I only bought one carton. When I got home, Steve explained to me that ice cream is like gas, it doesn't matter how much it costs, we will not go without! I knew he was good when I married him, but not THIS good!
Dana, That is so funny you posted this. I just got home from the grocery store and had the same "double-take" experience in the ice cream isle. We are Dryer's fans, and usually one of the versions is on sale. Not only were none of them on sale, but I felt totally ripped off when I realized what was happening with their sizing. There were two freezer door sections that looked exactly like the ones you posted. One with all new "smaller" cartons, the other with half and half.
Maybe they're trying to soften the blow by exposing themselves. Hm. I feel taken either way.
All cartons were selling for $4.99 at my store. Wonder what it's selling for elsewhere?
Hope they don't start doing it for the Thriftys brand ice cream!
SHOCKING!! I think 20/20 should do an expose on the darker side of the ice cream industry. :-)
You are like Dateline but with more important stories. Smaller ice cream cartons affect us all. You think there would be a nation wide vote before a change like this goes in effect.
Way to keep them honest Dana.
Thanks.
So glad you addressed this issue dana. I noticed it and it ticked me off. My attitude is not nearly as good as yours. I want my big carton back. Not so sneaky wankers.
now that i've "come out" as one of your blog readers i figured i'm okay to comment...so funny that you called this out because just last night we were at ralph's (browsing the ice cream aisle, naturally) and i literally thought dreyers had made a smaller ben & jerrys size individual carton. and then i realized they were ALL that size. boo! i need as much ice cream as i can get in one stop...what a rip off.
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