'It's deceiving': Schweppes 'sneakily' cuts 140ml off its bottle sizes - but how much will it really cost?

  • Schweppes trimmed its 1.25L bottles to 1.1L in a new 'sleek' bottle design
  • Customers accused company of sneakily charging more by not dropping price
  • Manufacturer said RRP was down $2.30 to $2 but supermarkets set own prices

By NIC WHITE, US SENIOR INVESTIGATIONS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Schweppes has quietly trimmed the size of its soft drink bottles - sparking outrage online over 'sneaky' marketing tactics.

The manufacturer slimmed 20 of its soda water, mineral water and mixer products from 1.25 to 1.1 litres in a 'sleek' new bottle design.

But the move was immediately met with backlash from angry customers who baulked at paying a similar price for less liquid.

Schweppes has quietly trimmed the size of its soft drink bottles from 1.25 litres (R) to 1.1 litres (L) with customers slamming 'sneaky' marketing tactics that make them pay more

Schweppes has quietly trimmed the size of its soft drink bottles from 1.25 litres (R) to 1.1 litres (L) with customers slamming 'sneaky' marketing tactics that make them pay more

The manufacturer slimmed 20 of its soda water, mineral water and mixer products in a 'sleek' new bottle design

The manufacturer slimmed 20 of its soda water, mineral water and mixer products in a 'sleek' new bottle design

'I saw your new design soda bottle today, looks impressive, looks bigger than the original, but looks are deceiving,' one upset customer wrote online.

'You've made the bottle smaller, harder to hold and the price has actually increased,' another vented on the company's Facebook page.

'That's the last bottle of Schweppes I will ever buy. I'd rather buy the rubbish that Woolworths sell under their label than buy your products ever again. Price gouging at its finest,' a third said.

Schweppes denied giving its customers less for more, noting the recommended retail price dropped from $2.30 to $2.

But the move was immediately met with backlash from angry customers who baulked at paying a similar price for less liquid

But the move was immediately met with backlash from angry customers who baulked at paying a similar price for less liquid

Schweppes denied giving its customers less for more, noting the recommended retail price dropped from $2.30 to $2

Schweppes denied giving its customers less for more, noting the recommended retail price dropped from $2.30 to $2

This would actually result in a saving of 0.4 cents a per 100ml - from 18.4 to 18 cents - but as supermarkets set their own price this often didn't occur.

Customers posted photos of the old and new bottles side-by-side on shelves with smaller prices differences, or claimed both cost $2. 

'While we’ve reduced the recommended retail price in line with the smaller 1.1L bottles, retailers ultimately set their own prices, particularly as they run out old stock,' Schweppes said in response.

Carbonated beverage fans also complained the shape of the bottle made it difficult to hold, and that smaller bottles meant more packaging.

The company marketed the new bottle as 'a storied design, reinvented. Inspired by the Schweppes "Hamilton" bottle. Est 1809'.

The company marketed the new bottle as 'a storied design, reinvented. Inspired by the Schweppes "Hamilton" bottle. Est 1809'

The company marketed the new bottle as 'a storied design, reinvented. Inspired by the Schweppes "Hamilton" bottle. Est 1809'

Schweppes redesign came after Arnotts slashed the size of its Tiny Teddies and Shapes multipacks from 10 bags to eight without dropping the $3.99 price

Schweppes redesign came after Arnotts slashed the size of its Tiny Teddies and Shapes multipacks from 10 bags to eight without dropping the $3.99 price

Other customers claimed some flavours tasted different to the original - which may be because the new mineral waters have 24 per cent less sugar.

'We are aware that shoppers are watching their budgets, and we were conscious in the redesign to ensure we could make our products available at an attractive price as well as provide consumers with a bottle they would be proud to serve on their tables,' Schweppes marketing general manager Lisa Saunders said.

Schweppes redesign came after Arnotts slashed the size of its Tiny Teddies and Shapes multipacks from 10 bags to eight without dropping the $3.99 price.

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