This feels overly focused on one direction of change. What I observe at the grocery store is some suppliers make changes that make the product worse and offer me a lower price, while others make their products better (low sugar options, higher protein, ethically sourced ingredients...) and offer a higher price, and the market sorts out which changes which people want
Typically the improvements are announced loudly, while the enshittification happens as silently as possible. Even the notices of improvement need to be read carefully and skeptically. The muesli with “no added sugar”—not added on top of how much already? The “protein” bar or yogurt or whatever—technically that only means that it contains nonzero protein, and yeah in practice often not more than comparable products without the label. The small bar with a big label “zero sugar” on front side, and a small print on the back saying it contains 10% sugar—the small print is regulated in EU, big colorful labels are probably not, make your own conclusion.
Even the brand is something that can be sold, and routinely is. You make quality products until everyone knows that you make quality products. If there is nowhere to expand anymore, the only way to increase profits is to start replacing your ingredients with cheap stuff. Possibly bad in long term, but a huge profit in the next quarter, and that’s what the bonuses depend on. Sometimes you sell the company at the top of its fame, leaving the milking of credulous customers to the new owner.
Typically the improvements are announced loudly, while the enshittification happens as silently as possible. Even the notices of improvement need to be read carefully and skeptically. The muesli with “no added sugar”—not added on top of how much already? The “protein” bar or yogurt or whatever—technically that only means that it contains nonzero protein, and yeah in practice often not more than comparable products without the label. The small bar with a big label “zero sugar” on front side, and a small print on the back saying it contains 10% sugar—the small print is regulated in EU, big colorful labels are probably not, make your own conclusion.
Even the brand is something that can be sold, and routinely is. You make quality products until everyone knows that you make quality products. If there is nowhere to expand anymore, the only way to increase profits is to start replacing your ingredients with cheap stuff. Possibly bad in long term, but a huge profit in the next quarter, and that’s what the bonuses depend on. Sometimes you sell the company at the top of its fame, leaving the milking of credulous customers to the new owner.