New '60-day' rule could be introduced in all UK supermarkets

Daily Record

a day ago

MPs have urged the Government to pass a new law forcing retailers to tell customers when items have shrunk in size but not on price
Retailers might soon have to warn customers about instances of "shrinkflation" under proposed legislation aimed at protecting shoppers from being short changed during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The Liberal Democrats are pushing for an amendment to government legislation that would compel big supermarkets to alert consumers when the contents of pre-packaged products are reduced – effectively making shoppers pay more per unit of measurement for the same item.
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The proposal, attached to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, suggests that retailers display the details of changes next to affected products for 60 days.
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Previous research by Compare the Market in 2024 identified various popular products – including digestive biscuits, butter, crisps and chocolate bars – that had shrunk in size while their unit costs rose.
The proposed amendment was expected to come to a vote in the House of Commons on June 4, when the Bill reached its report stage, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones stated: "The scourge of shrinkflation needs to be exposed. Shoppers have been hammered during a cost-of-living crisis all while massive companies and big supermarket chains are forcing them to pay more for less to protect their bottom lines.
"They need to be called out on it and for shoppers to know when they are at risk of being ripped off."
When discussing consumer protection policy, the MP for Wokingham added: "The government should accept this Liberal Democrat amendment so that we can help protect shoppers and their already stretched household budgets from another round of shrinkflation."
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The existing Bill extends regulatory authority to ministers for the advertisement and usage of goods in the UK in the post-Brexit period.
Prior changes to the Bill in the House of Lords successfully instated safeguards for the imperial pint measurement, alleviating concerns regarding its potential disuse.
Following government approval, the Bill's updated provisions restrict ministerial authority to limit or prohibit the use of pints as a measurement unit for draught beer, cider and milk sold in returnable containers.
For legislative clarity, a precise definition of the imperial pint at 0.56826125 cubic decimetres has been incorporated into the amendment.
According to a Department for Business and Trade spokesman: "We're committed to protecting consumers from unfair commercial practices and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions on purchases.
"That's why we're bringing in strict new laws next year to make sure businesses use clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, and retailers show all unit prices in either kilograms or litres to improve clarity for shoppers."