France asks retailers to alert customers to cases of 'shrinkflation'

The French government has announced a new rule that will require stores to tell customers when a product becomes smaller but its price stays the same or increases. This practice, known as shrinkflation, will need to be clearly communicated to shoppers under the rule that takes effect on July 1. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced the measure to tackle the common but often-criticized practice that has become an international phenomenon and buzzword. Le Maire called shrinkflation a “scam” and stressed the importance of transparency, saying that customers needed to "understand the real price evolution of products when their sizes change.” Consumer watchdogs have welcomed the new rule.