CPG Brands Are Ripping You Off: Here’s How!
Did you ever think for one second that the CPG products that you are purchasing are actually ripping you off without telling you? I know, hard to believe someone would be trying to screw you (sarcasm). However, it’s true. CPG brands are ripping you off!
Take a look at normal products that you purchase every week from the grocery store — cereal, peanut butter, etc. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice that the cost of goods has not gone up. After all, if your favorite cereal brand said they were increasing the price, you’d probably get your signs, lace up your shoes, and start protesting. So, they went behind your back and made a few changes to save their costs. Let me share with you some examples.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, changing your daily nutrition, or adding any supplements to your regimen.
Table of contents
What Are CPG Brands?
CPG brands, or Consumer Packaged Goods brands, are companies that produce goods consumed by the average consumer that require routine replacement or replenishment. These products are typically sold in retail stores and online and include items such as food and beverages, toiletries, cosmetics, cleaning products, and other household consumables.
Some characteristics of CPG brands include:
- High Turnover Rate: These products are used up and need to be repurchased frequently.
- Wide Distribution: CPG products are usually available in a variety of retail locations, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and online platforms.
- Brand Loyalty: Successful CPG brands often develop a loyal customer base through consistent quality and effective marketing.
- Mass Marketing: They often engage in extensive marketing and advertising campaigns to reach a broad audience.
Examples of CPG brands include:
- Procter & Gamble (P&G): Known for products like Tide laundry detergent, Gillette razors, and Pampers diapers.
- Unilever: Produces brands like Dove soap, Lipton tea, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
- Nestlé: Offers products such as Nescafé coffee, KitKat chocolate, and Purina pet food.
- Coca-Cola: Famous for its wide range of beverages including Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta.
- PepsiCo: Known for Pepsi, Lay’s chips, and Quaker foods.
CPG brands play a significant role in the retail industry and in the everyday lives of consumers.
How CPG Brands Are Ripping You Off
- Cereal: When strolling up and down the cereal aisle, nothing looks any different to the naked eye. All the boxes appear to be the same size. So, CPG brands are ripping you off? Where? Grab your favorite box of cereal. Looks the same from the front, right? Turn it to the side. Aaaaaaaaah! Without you even knowing it, cereal brands reduced their cost while keeping yours the same by giving you less cereal for the same price. Those boxes got thinner! Pretty shady, right?
- Peanut Butter: Again, CPG brands are ripping you off. Those peanut butter jars you purchase used to be flat on the bottom. Grab the peanut butter you have at home and flip it upside down. What do you notice? The jar at the bottom (underneath) is now dimpled in. Once again, giving you less product for the same price.
Personally, I’m not a fan of these types of practices and feel that CPG companies should be honest and upfront with their consumer in what they are changing with their product. Rather than being honest and saying the cost of doing business has increased so they need to increase the cost of the product, they want to be deceptive and hope that you are too dumb to notice any changes to the product packaging. After all, once you start buying a product, do you look at the label and at the net weight each time you buy it? Probably not.
This article was for the sole purpose of making you aware of some deceptive changes going on and that CPG brands are ripping you off. Do with this as you wish, but the fact is, your dollar is no longer worth a dollar anymore when purchasing certain products from the grocery store.
What Can You Do To Not Get Ripped Off?
To avoid getting ripped off by CPG brands, consider the following strategies:
- Compare Prices:
- Shop Around: Check prices at different retailers, both online and offline. Use price comparison websites or apps.
- Unit Pricing: Look at the price per unit (e.g., per ounce, per liter) to compare the true cost of different sized packages.
- Look for Sales and Discounts:
- Coupons: Use manufacturer or store coupons available in newspapers, online, or through apps.
- Sales and Promotions: Take advantage of sales, bulk purchase discounts, and buy-one-get-one-free deals.
- Loyalty Programs: Join store loyalty programs to earn points, receive discounts, or access exclusive deals.
- Buy in Bulk:
- For non-perishable items, buying in bulk can be more cost-effective. However, ensure you have the storage space and can use the products before they expire.
- Generic or Store Brands:
- Consider purchasing generic or store-brand versions of products, which are often cheaper and can be of similar quality to name brands.
- Read Labels and Reviews:
- Ingredients and Quality: Check product labels for ingredient quality and quantity. Avoid paying more for products with unnecessary or harmful ingredients.
- Customer Reviews: Read reviews to see if others have had positive or negative experiences with the product.
- Beware of Marketing Tricks:
- Packaging: Be aware of packaging that may make products look larger than they are.
- Health Claims: Scrutinize health claims on packaging, as some might be exaggerated or misleading.
- Use Price Tracking Tools:
- Use tools and browser extensions that track price changes over time, alerting you to price drops or historical price data to determine if a deal is truly good.
- Avoid Impulse Purchases:
- Make a shopping list and stick to it. Avoid buying items that aren’t on your list, especially at checkout counters.
- Check Expiration Dates:
- Make sure to check the expiration dates on perishable goods to avoid wasting money on items that will expire soon.
- Stay Informed:
- Follow consumer advocacy groups or websites that provide information on product recalls, quality issues, and other consumer rights topics.
By being a savvy shopper and using these strategies, you can minimize the risk of getting ripped off by CPG brands.
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