Yes, Even Cookie Monster Is Upset About ‘Shrinkflation’
Muppet’s rant against cookie prices sparks political reaction, White House response
3 min
Cookie Monster is a blue furry muppet who lives on a fake street, but even he is sick of a real menace in supermarket aisles.
“Me hate shrinkflation!,” the “Sesame Street” character wrote to his 626,000 followers on X. “Me cookies are getting smaller.”
Shrinkflation—when companies shrink their products but not the price—has been a hot topic as Americans spend more of their disposable income on food than they have in 30 years . Shrinkflation saves companies money, but politicians have called it greed. It’s been showing up everywhere: fewer sheets of toilet paper in a roll; less juice in a bottle; or in Cookie Monster’s case, smaller cookies that cost the same as when they were bigger.
President Biden has been critical of shrinkflation lately, calling it “a rip-off” by companies who he said are giving Americans less for every dollar they spend.
“As an ice-cream lover,” Biden said in an Instagram video posted last month on the same day as the Super Bowl, “what makes me the most angry is that ice-cream cartons have actually shrunk in size but not in price.”
On Monday, the White House weighed in on Cookie Monster’s post.
“C is for consumers getting ripped off,” the White House posted on X . “President Biden is calling on companies to put a stop to shrinkflation.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) told Cookie Monster she and Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) “have a bill for that.”
Called the Shrinkflation Prevention Act, the bill was introduced by the Democratic senators last week. It would give the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general the authority to punish companies engaging in shrinkflation.
Snacks such as chips and cookies have become 26% more expensive since January 2019, according to a report by Casey released in December . Nearly 10% of the price increase was due to shrinkflation, the report said.
Oreo fans have noticed less cream in the black-and-white cookies, but the company behind them has said there hasn’t been a change to the cookie-to-cream ratio. French supermarket chain Carrefour started attaching labels to products in September warning shoppers of what it deems to be shrinkflation. And even the rich and famous have noticed: Rapper Cardi B has ranted about high inflation and rising lettuce prices . “Naaaaaa,” she tweeted last year, “grocery shopping prices are ridiculous right now.”
David Chavern , the chief executive of the Consumer Brands Association, which represents major food makers, said industry leaders understand the pressures of inflation on Americans and have asked to meet with Biden.
“This is a serious issue and needs responsible leadership, not gimmicks or muppet memes,” he said. “In the meantime, we will continue our efforts to provide the best products at the most competitive price.”
“Sesame Street” characters have been diving into real world issues on social media, gaining differing reactions from politicians.
When the Covid-19 vaccine was approved for children, Big Bird tweeted he got the shot.
“My wing is feeling a little sore, but it’ll give my body an extra protective boost that keeps me and others healthy,” he wrote .
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz tweeted that it was , “Government propaganda…for your 5 year old!”
In January, Elmo asked a question on X : “How is everybody doing?,” only to get inundated with replies from people talking about their mental health and saying how bleak their lives are, garnering a tweet from Biden.
“I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days,” Biden responded to the red muppet . “Our friend Elmo is right: We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbour in need, and above all else, ask for help when we need it.”
Representatives for “Sesame Street” didn’t respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
As for Cookie Monster’s shrinkflation rant, Edgar Dworsky is happy to have more allies.
“I’ve been campaigning against shrinkflation for more than three decades,” said Dworsky, who calls out companies engaging in shrinkflation on his websites ConsumerWorld.org and MousePrint.org. “I welcome the help of such prominent figures as Cookie Monster and of course, the president.”
In the meantime, Cookie Monster seems to have found his own shrinkflation solution.
“Guess me going to have to eat double da cookies!,” he tweeted .
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Industrial assets offer a simple, low-risk entry into commercial real estate.
3 min
Falling interest rates are sparking a rebound in interest in commercial property. However, for many first-time investors, commercial property can feel very intimidating. With commercial property, there are typically numerous different numbers, complex leases, and unfamiliar terminology.
But once you understand what to look for, the pathway into commercial becomes much clearer and far more achievable than most people realise. So, what does a smart entry point into commercial property actually look like?
If there’s one standout option, it’s typically an industrial property with value-add potential.
Why industrial is the right place to start
Among all the commercial sectors, industrial is currently the most stable and accessible. Demand is being driven by the trades, small manufacturers, logistics operators and e-commerce businesses, many of which are growing rapidly and need practical space to operate from.
Unlike retail and office properties, industrial assets are typically simpler to understand. They’re often lower maintenance, easier to lease and more resilient to changes in the economy. This makes them well-suited to first-time investors who want to enter the market with confidence.
The importance of value-add potential
When looking at entry-level opportunities, many investors make the mistake of prioritising presentation. But it’s generally not the flashiest property that delivers the best returns. It’s the one where you can create the most upside.
That might mean buying a property where the current rent is well below market value. When the lease ends, you have the opportunity to negotiate a new lease at a higher rate, instantly increasing the property’s value.
In other cases, it may be a warehouse with a short-term lease in a high-demand area, providing you the opportunity to renegotiate the terms and secure a better return. Even basic improvements like repainting, improving access, or updating signage can make a big difference to tenant demand.
Don’t chase yield for the sake of it
A common trap for first-time commercial buyers is chasing the highest yield on offer. While yield is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the only one. A high yield can sometimes signal a risky investment, one with a poor location, limited tenant demand, or low capital growth prospects.
Instead, smart investors focus on balance. A net yield of six to seven per cent in a strong, established area with reliable tenants and good fundamentals is often a far better outcome than a nine per cent yield in a declining market.
Yield is only part of the story. A good commercial investment is one where the income is sustainable, the asset has growth potential, and the risk is well-managed.
The risks of starting with retail or office
Retail and office properties can be suitable for experienced investors, but they’re often more complex and carry higher risk, especially for those just starting out. Retail in particular has faced significant changes in recent years, with e-commerce altering the way consumers shop.
Unless the property is in a high-traffic, local strip with essential services like medical, food or personal care, vacancy risk can be high. Office space is still adapting to the post-COVID shift towards remote work, and in many cases, demand has softened. If you’re entering the commercial market for the first time, it’s better to stick to simple, functional industrial assets in proven locations.
Where to look, and why
For first-time investors, some of the best opportunities can be found in outer-metro industrial precincts or larger regional centres.
Suburbs in places like Geelong, Logan, Toowoomba or Altona North offer a compelling combination of affordability, strong tenant demand and relatively low vacancy risk.
These areas often have diverse local economies that don’t rely on a single industry and offer entry points between $600,000 and $1 million, a sweet spot where competition from institutional investors is limited and owner-occupiers are still active.
What a good entry deal looks like
Imagine purchasing an industrial shed for $750,000 with a tenant in place and a current net yield of 6.5 per cent. The lease has about 18 months left, and you know the current rent is around $10,000 below market.
Once the lease expires, you can renegotiate or re-lease at the correct rate, increasing the income and, by extension, the value of the asset.
That’s a textbook example of a good commercial entry point. The property is tenanted, it generates income from day one, and it has a clear path to growing your equity within 12 to 24 months.
Abdullah Nouh is the founder of Mecca Property Group, a boutique buyer’s agency in Melbourne helping Australians build wealth through strategic property investment.
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