Both leave you paying more for less. They’re not the same thing, and telling them apart matters.
What is shrinkflation?
The price stays, the product shrinks — fewer chips in the bag, less cereal in the box, a “family size” that quietly isn’t anymore. It’s easy to miss because the price tag never changes; the only way to catch it is comparing unit price (price per ounce or count) over time, not the shelf price alone.
What is price gouging?
A direct price increase, usually during a shortage or emergency — think bottled water before a hurricane. Several states have price-gouging laws that apply during declared emergencies. Rules vary by state, so check your own state’s protections if you think you’ve seen it.
Why both are hard to catch in the moment
Neither shows up on a single shelf visit. Shrinkflation needs a size comparison against memory; gouging needs a price comparison against last week. Most shoppers don’t have that data at the register — which is the gap DataChan’s scan history is built to close.
What to actually do about it
Check unit price for shrinkflation. For suspected gouging, compare against a recent verified price for the same item, and report it if your state has protections in place.