“Feeling cheated”: Cadbury shoppers outraged over less for more with classic snack

Cadbury, the chocolate giant revered for its creamy delights, has stirred a pot of discontent among its loyal followers. The heart of the matter? A major rebrand of the beloved Cadbury Animals biscuits has left fans feeling more than just a little short-changed.

Gone are the days when you could open a pack of Cadbury Animals and find seven delightful chocolate-covered biscuits staring back at you. In a move that has caused uproar among consumers, Cadbury has slimmed down the pack to just five biscuits, all while keeping the price steadfast at £1.25.

The term ‘shrinkflation’ has never felt more apt, nor more infuriating for Cadbury enthusiasts. Social media and online forums have been ablaze with disappointment and disbelief. “Why not just hike the price a bit and keep our beloved biscuits intact?” lamented one shopper, echoing the sentiment of many.

This isn’t just about fewer biscuits for the same price. It’s about the principle, the feeling of being duped by a brand many have grown up with and trusted. The revamped packs, now boasting recyclable packaging, may be a nod to sustainability, but shoppers are not buying the justification. The outcry is loud and clear: bring back our extra two biscuits, or at least be upfront and hike the price if you must.

Cadbury’s response has been to point to the rising costs of ingredients like cocoa and sugar as the culprits behind this decision. “We’ve made the tough choice to decrease the pack size of Cadbury Animals so we can continue to offer the quality and taste our fans expect,” the company explained. But this explanation has done little to quell the storm of dissatisfaction brewing among its customer base.

The bitter taste of shrinkflation isn’t new on the Cadbury palette. Earlier, the inflated pricing of Mini Eggs had already left fans feeling sour, with a 1kg bag’s price tag raising eyebrows at £17.50. It seems Cadbury’s strategy to manage rising production costs is leaving a series of disgruntled chocolate lovers in its wake.

In an era where every penny counts for consumers, the backlash against Cadbury’s recent moves is a stark reminder that brand loyalty can be tested by perceived injustices over pricing and product size. As the dust settles on this latest controversy, one thing is clear: Cadbury fans are not ready to let this one slide without a fight.