Cost of Living - Shrinkflation is speeding up at an alarming rate

[Jono8]

The Waitrose in Billericay massively extended the number of self checkouts where there now taking up about 2/3rds of the overall checkout space.

Most are going that way, and it ******* sucks

I go to Asda as it's the closest big supermarket, and every time I use the self checkout and place my bags, then press ok etc (entirely as instructed), it says I need to call for assistance....

It also ***** it's pants if you buy too many heavy things like compost. I completely broke one earlier in the year with four bags of compost I think, as the assistantants just couldn't get it to work or reset.

I probably wouldn't mind them so much if they weren't so quick to fail/say something is wrong.

 

[ChroniC]

I swear there must be some many products that have been uneffected by rising costs that have seemingly just raised prices because it's being expected.

If people like lidl can produce washing up liquid for pence, then why are the big brands £3.50 a bottle. (random example)

Coca cola, at £2 something for 2 litres is just ludicrous. Sadly not enough of us are punishing these brands with lower sales.

 

[The_Arbiter]

I swear there must be some many products that have been uneffected by rising costs that have seemingly just raised prices because it's being expected.

If people like lidl can produce washing up liquid for pence, then why are the big brands £3.50 a bottle. (random example)

Coca cola, at £2 something for 2 litres is just ludicrous. Sadly not enough of us are punishing these brands with lower sales.

With transport, energy, and wages, it's hard to know of anything at all. I would like to know why oats from Quaker and Scots (same company!) decided to go mental with their pricing despite it being Scotland produce. They were one of the first, and it went straight up to a ~150% increase, wtaf.

I think most have refused to buy X. But their saved cash consequently went elsewhere to other price increases, be it cars, energy, mortgage, other foods, hospitality, general tat, etc. So race to the bottom, here we go.

 

[robfosters]

We used to enjoy a leg of lamb from Sainsburys most Sundays. We’ve had to stop now though. The size we need now costs £46. So if we want it 3 Sundays a month, it would now cost us £138 a month! How did it get so bloody expensive?

 

[Ali195]

Most are going that way, and it ******* sucks

I go to Asda as it's the closest big supermarket, and every time I use the self checkout and place my bags, then press ok etc (entirely as instructed), it says I need to call for assistance....

It also ***** it's pants if you buy too many heavy things like compost. I completely broke one earlier in the year with four bags of compost I think, as the assistantants just couldn't get it to work or reset.

I probably wouldn't mind them so much if they weren't so quick to fail/say something is wrong.

Yeah, that whole bring your own bag thing for self checkout is broken.
1. Have your own bag? Yes
2. Place bag on scale to be weighed.
3. “RED ALERT” please wait for assistance.
4. Wtf? Wait for an eternity for staff..
5. Checkout assistant confirms your bag isn’t a bottle of champagne.

I just don’t bother as a result but end up having to pack items AFTER paying, thereby taking longer.

 

[Kelt]

I avoid self-checkouts like the plague.

 

[Reuben klang]

With transport, energy, and wages, it's hard to know of anything at all. I would like to know why oats from Quaker and Scots (same company!) decided to go mental with their pricing despite it being Scotland produce. They were one of the first, and it went straight up to a ~150% increase, wtaf.

I think most have refused to buy X. But their saved cash consequently went elsewhere to other price increases, be it cars, energy, mortgage, other foods, hospitality, general tat, etc. So race to the bottom, here we go.

This does my head in as well, i’ve stopped buying the scots oats and just get the own brand ones. I’m convinced they’re the exact same product as it’s made in scotland too.

That is just sheer greed from pepsi though, unilever are at it as well with a load of British made stuff.

 

[MatsyLR]

I avoid self-checkouts like the plague.

I wouldn't shop anywhere that didn't have self checkouts.

I have 2 Aldis near me which I use, sometimes it complains about something and have to get a staff member to scan their thing but there's always a member of staff waiting takes less than 10 seconds usually.

I have no interest in using the normal checkouts, it's just awkward, I don't want to interact with you I want to be in and out. I get anoyyed with the people who decide to slowly put things onto the weight thing, pay then bag while people are waiting instead of just bagging while scanning as quickly as you can . Like what are you doing get a move on. The only good thing is it's split into 2 lanes, card and cash/card. Usually an odd amount of people paying by cash for some unknown reason with a queue so a cash machine is usually free. Makes me wonder why are you using cash? it's so strange. Have not handled cash in over 10 years or something.

Also people who use trollies for shopping that can fit into a hand held basket, jamming up the walkways. I'm usually in and out in about 5 min just speed walking around people sitting the middle of the isle contemplating the meaning of the universe with a big trolly for no reason.

Sometimes I need 2 baskets of shopping depending on what I need (when it's time to get cat food) so I'll do the main stuff, get out then go back in with a 2nd basket. Usually see the same people in the same isle still faffing about.. Do people not go with a general idea what they want? I'll go straight to where I know things are through each isle and if something catches my eye ill grab it and continue as quickly as possible. I see no urgency with people, just slowing waddling around thinking what they buy is going to have some profound effect on their life.

I get it in places like IKEA that's what it's designed for, specially with the showrooms that make you feel crap haha. Don't mind people slowing wandering in the there, but in a supermarket get a move on and get out the way.

 

[arknor]

it's just awkward, I don't want to interact with you I want to be in and out

you only have to say
Hi
Paying by card
Thanks.

 

[Reuben klang]

I wouldn't shop anywhere that didn't have self checkouts.

I have 2 Aldis near me which I use, sometimes it complains about something and have to get a staff member to scan their thing but there's always a member of staff waiting takes less than 10 seconds usually.

I have no interest in using the normal checkouts, it's just awkward, I don't want to interact with you I want to be in and out. I get anoyyed with the people who decide to slowly put things onto the weight thing, pay then bag while people are waiting instead of just bagging while scanning as quickly as you can . Like what are you doing get a move on. The only good thing is it's split into 2 lanes, card and cash/card. Usually an odd amount of people paying by cash for some unknown reason with a queue so a cash machine is usually free. Makes me wonder why are you using cash? it's so strange. Have not handled cash in over 10 years or something.

Also people who use trollies for shopping that can fit into a hand held basket, jamming up the walkways. I'm usually in and out in about 5 min just speed walking around people sitting the middle of the isle contemplating the meaning of the universe with a big trolly for no reason.

Sometimes I need 2 baskets of shopping depending on what I need (when it's time to get cat food) so I'll do the main stuff, get out then go back in with a 2nd basket. Usually see the same people in the same isle still faffing about.. Do people not go with a general idea what they want? I'll go straight to where I know things are through each isle and if something catches my eye ill grab it and continue as quickly as possible. I see no urgency with people, just slowing waddling around thinking what they buy is going to have some profound effect on their life.

I get it in places like IKEA that's what it's designed for, specially with the showrooms that make you feel crap haha. Don't mind people slowing wandering in the there, but in a supermarket get a move on and get out the way.

You sound fun. Cash is still good to have, lot of farm shops, local shops etc are still cash only. Honesty boxes as well. Can’t all be like Clarksons farm with the machine for milk!

Anyway, just got shared a price increase over the last 12 months at Aldi it’s on Instagram. Wonder if there is similar for packet sizes for the shrinkflation. Would we rather the price stayed the same but the contents reduced. It’s frustrating.

Insta link if anyone is interested.

 

[Ayahuasca]

I have no interest in using the normal checkouts, it's just awkward, I don't want to interact with you I want to be in and out.

It isn't awkward at all if you're a socially well-adjusted person. It takes nothing to make a few seconds of small talk with a cashier and potentially make their day a little better.

However, I know you've talked on here before about your problems with not wanting to interact with anyone, even at work, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[hood1971]

I avoid self-checkouts like the plague.

I would not do weekly shop at any place that does not have self scanners.

 

[Richie]

I wouldn't shop anywhere that didn't have self checkouts.

I would not do weekly shop at any place that does not have self scanners.

That seems daft... I tend to go towards the self checkouts but I certainly wouldn't restrict my buying stuff based solely on a shop not having self checkouts

 

[bigmike20vt]

I bought a multi pack of gold bars at the weekend. I know everything has shrunk a bit but jesus Christ. they are tiny now and barely worth it.

 

[jpaul]

usually chat more with the other people in the queue at the human checkout - too often the till staff, impolitely, hold conversations with one another on their BT headsets, hive mind.

roll on the day when the CCTV at the selfie can identify vegetables automatically - would probably increase store efficiency, and, should be easier than face recognition.

 

[Diddums]

roll on the day when the CCTV at the selfie can identify vegetables automatically - would probably increase store efficiency, and, should be easier than face recognition.

What's face recognition got to do with vegetable identification?

Assuming you're referring to weighing veggies at the tills, most shops have dedicated scales in their veggie sections where you can weigh them and print off a barcode sticker, in case you're not capable of operating a till that billions of people worldwide operate every single day.

 

[hood1971]

That seems daft... I tend to go towards the self checkouts but I certainly wouldn't restrict my buying stuff based solely on a shop not having self checkouts

Self scan is different to self checkout. You scan as you go and pay at the end. So much quicker and very little queueing.

 

[jpaul]

What's face recognition got to do with vegetable identification?

Cameras they have can do face recognition if you've seen reporting on anti-theft measures (and even spot gestures in the aisles where people maybe nicking stuff)
cameras at the checkouts could be also usefully employed, to identify vegetables you individually place on scales which would help throughput,
if the camera can distinguish the different races (of vegetables) correctly.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

Self scan is different to self checkout. You scan as you go and pay at the end. So much quicker and very little queueing.

The Waitrose self scan always worked nicely for me until I purchased alcohol and would have to summon one of the harpies from the CS desk to authorise my purchase.

 

[Haggisman]

Yeah, that whole bring your own bag thing for self checkout is broken.
1. Have your own bag? Yes
2. Place bag on scale to be weighed.
3. “RED ALERT” please wait for assistance.
4. Wtf? Wait for an eternity for staff..
5. Checkout assistant confirms your bag isn’t a bottle of champagne.

I just don’t bother as a result but end up having to pack items AFTER paying, thereby taking longer.

Quite.

UNEXPECTED ITEM IN THE BAGGING AREA.

It's a BAG.

In the ******* BAGGING area.

How the **** is that "unexpected"?

I went to my local Morrisons today for some shopping and something caught my eye in the Spirits aisle... All the spirits now have locked glass doors over the shelves (they kinda look like the big freezers for the frozen veg etc).... You have to press a button on the door for a member of staff to come and open them up for you to get your bottle of Vodka etc. On the doors are sticker stating this is because of theft of these products with the slogan "theft costs us all"

Yeah, we have these in ours as well. What's funny is that there are plenty of cheap bottles in the glass cabinets of shame(tm), and plenty of expensive bottles which aren't.

Bottle of sugar syrup - £5 - in the cabinet
Nice bottle of wine - £15 - sat on the shelf next to the cabinet

Good work Morrisons, 10/10

I can imagine the shop assistants getting bored fast having to traipse over there over and over and over... Unless someone is posted there at busy times permanently

Never mind the shop assistants getting bored, I've been stood waiting for about 10 minutes for someone to come - long enough to call through to customer services and get transferred to the store to ask for someone to walk round. It wouldn't surprise me if they were losing more money in lost sales than they are "saving" in preventing shoplifting; I've started stopping off at the local off-licence instead - might cost and extra couple of £, but better than wasting my life standing around waiting for ages for someone to come.

It isn't awkward at all if you're a socially well-adjusted person. It takes nothing to make a few seconds of small talk with a cashier and potentially make their day a little better.

However, I know you've talked on here before about your problems with not wanting to interact with anyone, even at work, so I'll leave it at that.

Some of us get our social interactions elsewhere - with people we actually want to socially interact with. If I'm going to the supermarket it's because I want to buy something, not to stand blocking the aisle with no consideration for others so I can have a natter with Doreen.