Walmart shoppers aren’t happy after noticing that a popular breakfast staple from the retailer’s Great Value brand appears to be getting smaller while its price is going up.
Instant oatmeal is popular largely because it’s simple and affordable, but Walmart shoppers are now getting less bang for their buck, as a recent Reddit post in the r/shrinkflation community. A Redditor shared a photo of two boxes of Great Value Original Instant Oatmeal side by side, revealing that the product has gone from 12 individual packets per box to just 10. “Also I’m pretty sure the price increased. I think it used to be around 1.87 now 1.93. Paying more for less,” they lamented.
This is one example of the phenomenon dubbed shrinkflation, in which companies reduce the size or quantity of a product while keeping its price the same or even raising it. Apparently, even an inexpensive breakfast staple like instant oatmeal isn’t safe.
Great value instant oatmeal packets from 12 to 10 per box
by
u/birdsinthesky03 in
shrinkflation
Walmart Shoppers Call Out Great Value Oatmeal Shrinkflation
Great Value? More like shrinking value! While the price change on this particular product hasn’t been verified, the shrinking number of packets is enough reason for complaint.
One commenter simply called the situation “pure evil,” while another questioned just how far companies would take shrinkflation, writing, “I just wanna know how far these companies are gonna go with shrinkflation. Are they gonna shrink everything until it’s 1ct per box?”
Others joked about the possibility of companies eventually bringing back larger packages at inflated prices. One user imagined a future in which a six-count box becomes the new standard, only for a 12-count box to return as a supposedly better-value family pack.
Another shopper summed up the frustration with a simple observation: “Convenience is just getting more and more expensive these days isn’t it”
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Some Reddit users suggested that shoppers could avoid the price increases by purchasing larger containers of oats instead of individually packaged instant oatmeal. One commenter recommended buying oatmeal in bulk, arguing that it's significantly cheaper.
But as one Redditor pointed out, buying a bulk container doesn't always make sense for someone who only occasionally craves oatmeal, especially if the product ends up going to waste. Another commenter noted that buying all the individual ingredients needed to flavor plain oatmeal can also add up.
Great Value's oatmeal isn't the only product shoppers have called out for shrinking package sizes. From snack bags to household staples, shrinkflation has become a recurring complaint among consumers who feel they're paying more while getting less.
For now, shoppers can compare package sizes and unit prices before purchasing to make sure they're getting the best deal. And if the Reddit discussion is any indication, customers are paying closer attention to what's actually inside their grocery boxes.
