Breaking News English

A new phenomenon is taking [holding / hold] across the world - "shrinkflation". This is when companies reduce the [seize / size] of their products or range of services while maintaining prices. It is [in / on] reaction to the rising prices of raw materials needed [in / on] the production process. Another tactic being used is to place smaller [number / numbers] of items in larger boxes, providing an [illicit / illusion] to shoppers that they are getting more for their money. Shrinking the size of products is in [affect / effect] a cost-cutting strategy. Manufacturers are [relying / relaying] on psychology here. They know that consumers are more sensitive to price than [quantify / quantity] or quality. Most shoppers will still make a regular purchase, even if it has shrunk, as long as the price has not [risen / arisen] .

The chocolate bar maker Cadbury has [resorted / resorting] to shrinking the size of one of its flagship [products / produce] by 10 per cent to maintain its bottom line. A company spokesperson said: "We look [to / for] absorb costs...in this difficult environment [so] we've had to make the [decisive / decision] to slightly reduce the weight of [chocolate] bars for the first time since 2012, so that we can keep [them / it] competitive." The service industry is also [being / been] inventive to try to refrain [for / from] raising prices. The hotel chains Hilton and Marriott have made daily housekeeping services "[opt in / opt out]" . This means that guests must now request the cleaning of their room. Many other free services we have [taken / given] for granted are on the wane and being [shrunk / shrank] .