skimpflation

We propose a new word to describe this stealth-ninja kind of inflation: skimpflation. It's when, instead of simply raising prices, companies skimp on the goods and services they provide.

2021 October 26, Greg Rosalsky, “Meet skimpflation: A reason inflation is worse than the government says it is”, in Planet Money

Some economists have pegged a new word to this phenomenon where, rather than raise prices, companies cut services previously provided: skimpflation. Skimpflation could mean reduced staff, thus longer lines or phone hold times.

2022 March 17, Sally French, “One of the most basic hotel amenities is disappearing”, in Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Companies face an appalling dilemma, said Laith Al-Khalaf in The Sunday Times – pass on increased costs to consumers “and risk losing them to rivals”, or “absorb the hit”. No wonder many are opting for a third path: “skimpflation”. The trick is to erode “the quality of their goods” – say, by “menu engineering” to focus on cheaper foods – in the hope that “hoodwinked” consumers either don't notice or don't care.

2022 April 30, “Netflix et al.: the great cancellation”, in The Week, Bath, page 41

"This is now called Skimpflation, which means a manufacturer has reformulated one of its products, usually with cheaper ingredients," says Dworsky, a former Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General in consumer protection.

[2022 November 2, Leslie Gaydos, quoting Edgar Dworsky, “Skimpflation: Brands May Be Changing Their Recipes to Cut Costs – But It's Hard to Tell”, in NBC Boston

How To Be A Savvy Shopper Amidst Skimpflation […] And while it might require a little more time and energy in the aisles, there are ways to prevent your diet from suffering amidst inflation.

2022 November 9, “How Skimpflation May Be Affecting Your Diet”, in Henry Ford Health