Overview

• Mondelez has introduced a 45-gram Alpenmilch mini bar priced at €0.99 for placement in checkout areas of major German retailers such as Rewe and Edeka.
• Nielsen data show chocolate bar volumes in Germany fell by 10.4% from January to mid-July while revenues climbed 19.8%, with Milka’s volume down 6.6%.
• Earlier this year Milka shrank its classic Alpenmilch bar from 100 g to 90 g and raised its price from €1.49 to €1.99, representing a 48% per-bar increase against an 8% average market rise.
• Foodwatch branded Milka’s shrinkflation the Goldener Windbeutel and Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg issued a Schmähpreis over perceived deceptive size cuts and price hikes.
• Mondelez cites higher cocoa and supply costs for the changes but now faces mounting pressure from consumer groups and regulators to mandate front-of-pack weight disclosures.