Vintage 1991 Mars bar unearthed highlights shrinkflation in confectionery
A 35-year-old Mars bar discovered in a Lincolnshire hoarder house shows how the classic candy has shrunk over time, prompting comments on shrinkflation.
While cleaning a hoarder residence in the English county of Lincolnshire, Victoria Gordon uncovered a Mars bar dating back to 1991, which she displayed in an online video. The vintage bar, weighing 65 grams, is considerably larger than the modern 51-gram version sold today. After purchasing a new bar for comparison, Gordon expressed disappointment and linked the size reduction to the industry practice of shrinkflation, where product portions shrink while prices rise.
She noted that a 1991 Mars bar cost between 25p and 30p, whereas today the same candy typically sells for about $1.62. The incident coincided with recent consumer grievances about reduced portion sizes at McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A, highlighted by social-media posts. Gordon said finding such relics is a favorite part of her work clearing hoarder sites.
Why it matters
The find illustrates how everyday products have been downsized, affecting consumer value and highlighting broader shrinkflation trends.
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