Boxes of Quality Street and Celebrations reduce in size due to shrinkflation in the food and drink sector.

Indulging in a box of Quality Street or Celebrations is a cherished Christmas ritual. However, this festive season’s offerings in British supermarkets have been hit by unexpected shrinking portions, with the infamous Grinch apparently having made his mark on the iconic chocolate boxes before they even reached the shelves. This year, the classic Quality Street box has been reduced from 600g to 550g, while the Mars’s Celebrations have dwindled from 550g to 500g, signaling a noticeable increase in shrinkflation. The trend doesn’t stop there, as Toblerone’s chocolatey extravagance has also been trimmed down from 360g to 340g, with 20g removed from its peak. This follows a previous alteration announcement by Nestlé regarding the look and weight of Quality Street’s Purple One and Orange Crunch, which have not only changed shape but also lost weight. Even the much-loved Terry’s Chocolate Orange has been reduced from 157g to 145g, adding to the growing list of chocolate treats affected by shrinkflation. Toblerone, owned by US giant Mondelēz, faced similar criticism in 2016 for widening the gaps between its chunks rather than increasing prices. Despite the backlash, the chocolate landscape continues to change due to the rising cost of cocoa and other ingredients, highlighted by a 17.2% increase in chocolate prices on shop shelves as of July this year. Even with promotional pricing commonly seen during the Christmas season, these discounts have increased from £4 last year to £4.50 this year. Experts suggest that while ingredient costs have slightly decreased, they remain significantly higher than pre-2024 levels. Industry insiders and company representatives agree that these changes are a result of increased input costs across the supply chain, from cocoa and dairy to energy and transportation. As these costs mount, chocolate lovers may have to adjust their expectations for a seemingly shrinking holiday treat.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/08/shrinkflation-bites-as-boxes-of-quality-street-and-celebrations-lose-weight