A Charleston, S.C., Walmart shopper is blaming “shrinkflation” after opening a can of Great Value sardines. She believes the retailer is packing less product into its cans, despite keeping the price the same.
In a TikTok with over 1.2 million views and 81,000 likes, Peterra (@peterraaa) pops up the tab on the sardine can, peeling back the metal lid.
Four large sardines sit in a yellowish, clear liquid. Then she picks one up, showing that there is plenty more room for additional fish.
“Shrinkflation has gotten so crazy you can’t even say ‘packed like sardines’ anymore,” on-screen text reads.
While Walmart’s Great Value Sardines in Water cans don’t list a specific number of fish per container, each can contains around 3.75 ounces for just over $1. However, the TikToker remembers there being more fish in each container.
What Is Shrinkflation?
Shrinkflation is a sneaky way some companies reduce production costs as inflation impacts their revenue. They may keep the price the same while shrinking the amount of product in each package.
This keeps shoppers in the dark about how much they’re really getting for their money at the grocery store or restaurants by keeping their bills stable.
There are plenty of well-documented cases of shoppers who have noticed less and less product inside the containers of their frequent purchases. BroBible previously reported that McDonald’s fries, Ritz crackers, Raising Cane’s chicken fingers, and Cheesecake Factory cake slices may have been impacted by shrinkflation.
However, shoppers like Peterra are pushing back. Many show their shrunken grocery hauls or take-out orders on TikTok, calling on other shoppers to boycott brands that engage in the practice.
Do Viewers Think Shrinkflation Impacted The Sardines?
In the comments, many viewers agreed that there seem to be fewer sardines in recent cans they’ve purchased at Walmart.
“Used to be 8 now it’s only 4,” one wrote. Another agreed, replying, “And for a few months in between it was six. I get these for my dog and I thought I was just unlucky.”
Another suggested, “I guess demand went up and they either aren’t hiring more workers or there isn’t as much fish being produced fast enough for us to eat.”
“As an OG sardine lover (been eating them since I knew of my existence), these tins have been this way for a few years now, since maybe covid years,” a third wrote.
Another Walmart shopper said Peterra’s video prompted her to open up the same can she purchased six months prior. However, her cans also contained just four sardines.
Others joked about the extra room inside the can.
A commenter wrote, “Hahahaha first ever sardine in business class.”
“Dang they may as well had separate rooms,” a second commented.
Another joked, “Packed comfortably like sardines is gonna be the next saying.”
@peterraaa what is happening ?? shrinkflation is crazy #sardinesfordinner #economy #shrinkflation #groceryprices #inflation
BroBible reached out to Peterra via TikTok direct message and to Walmart via media form for further comment.