I was getting set for a trip to the supermarket late Friday morning, when I noticed a tweet from MassLive News about Nabisco's Premium Saltines:
At first, I didn't think anything of it. Round saltine crackers are really nothing new and there are already several companies that make them. But the more I thought about it, the more the news kind of bothers me.
Nabisco kind of sprung this on everyone. And they're not even giving it an honest chance, putting square saltines next to the new round ones. Check out what I found:
Yeah, those are all the new round crackers. There's no choice because all of the square Premiums are gone, totally replaced by the round ones. Also notice how much shelf space is devoted to the new item. Nabisco is really pushing this one hard. That bugs me. Almost as much as calling them "original" Premium Saltines. Sorry, Nabisco, but these crackers were originally square. You're not going to get people to forget square saltines by just calling these new ones "original" and banishing the real saltines.
But what is most wrong about this whole thing is the PRICE. The new packages are 10.5-ounce net weight compared to the old ones at 16 ounces. But you'll notice from the shelf tag that they're charging the same old $2.49 a box.
Here's a tip, folks. ALDI and Price/Rite saltines are exactly the same product as the old, square Premiums. In a blindfolded taste test, you'd never be able to tell them apart. But they're 89 cents for a one-pound box and have been for years. Buy those instead and let Nabisco go to hell.
18 comments:
Saw this article in the springfield republican. New immediately that the shape change would result in higher price per pound. Bastads!! just like the Rounded ice cream containers that replaced the squared off half gallons. The real irritating thing is some of this "new" profit is lost do to shipping and packaging inefficiences cause the rounded stuff still goes into square boxes and trucks.
... and they're not even topped with sea salt!
And they just dropped "Hint of Salt" Saltines. The lowest Sodium Saltine available here in Newark Wegmans. They suggested their Ritz "Hint of Salt"cide ... great sub for Saltines.
Another problem in the packaging is that the whole package must be opened at once, and I will never be able to eat them all before they go stale. Other "square" brands will still fit into my old Pemium tin, so for that reason and others listed its goodbye to Premiums.
Nabisco should change the brand name from 'Premium' to 'Inferior'.
I'm guessing that the round crackers will be sold in the Pacific Northwest by summer.
(I found your link on The Consumerist)
It's an ok cracker, but it's NOT a saltine. It is not flaky, it's more like bread. I agree, it's inferior. My Big Lots has them; does that mean they're flopping already? I will buy another brand of genuine square saltines.
We all know the REAL reason they changed them from square to round, it's just a sneaky way to rip off consumers. The good ole "grocery shrink ray" strikes again.
i am very sad and am snacking on round ones in Portsmouth, nh! and they seem less salty too! =(
People should definitely call Nabisco to complain, this product change should not be allowed to stand.
Have been trying for weeks to find the square crackers. HATE the new round ones, doesn't taste the same and have to open the whole box. Will not buy Nabisco products until I see the square crackers back in the stores. Terrible for them to do this. Good bye to Nabisco for this family.
I ordered 4 boxes of the REAL Premium Saltines online. Shipping is expensive; I ended up paying $5/box. BUT they are the real thing (down to the problem they have in summer - very brittle).
I live in Central MA. How can we do a Classic-Coke Uprising ?
I ordered 4 boxes of the REAL Premium Saltines online. Shipping is expensive; I ended up paying $5/box. BUT they are the real thing (down to the problem they have in summer - very brittle).
I live in Central MA. How can we do a Classic-Coke Uprising ?
ATTENTION!!SQUARE saltines are showing up on market shelves again. reported in Massachusetts, Albany, Ny at Walmart & in Buffalo. NY at BJ's. The test was SUPPOSED to end in Aug, seems like Nabisco caved in early.
Square is back! Just found in a Market Basket store in Mass. Yeah! I hated the round ones and complained to Nabisco. They did send me a $3 coupon as compensation but I still had to switch to another brand of altine.
I still haven't seen the return of the original squares in my area. But judging by the harsh reaction by the public, I expect to see them soon.
Also, I love Market Basket. I wish we had one near me, but I'm near the wrong side of Massachusetts.
The good-old square Premium Saltines were back on my grocery store shelves on Sunday when I went shopping - hallelujah! Fearing a second disappearance, I bought two boxes this time. Like many shoppers, I voted with my dollars -- I went without buying any for 3 trips to the market. The cheese is square, the cracker should be square - 'nuff said.
Nabisco recently tested boxes with 4 or 6 half-sleeves of square crackers instead of 4 big sleeves, since it keeps more crackers fresher. I LOVED those, since I only eat a recommended serving of crackers at a pass. Those aren't back yet, but I hold out hope.
I spotted the round crackers as a rip off right away. Apparently, so did others, because the square ones are back.
I have seen the square ones back in CT...but NOT the "Hint of Salt" variety that is so FABULOUS! What's up with that? We can buy "Hint of Salt" in Wheat Thins ( too small for cheese, but square at least) in Ritz Crackers, and even in Triscuits ( also square, but just not the same). Don't tell me there isn't a market for them, I bought 5 boxes when I heard about the switch to "round" and am down to having just two left. Waaah.:( We baby boomers grew up with "Saltines" and 1/2 pint of milk as snacks in Kindergarten ( 1953 and onwards) and "we boomers" have tremendous buying power, as well as some new sensible eating habits. It seems from the mail that it isn't just we "oldies" that are incensed though... thank you to all loyal New England "square " fans, I haven't bought a round one yet and never will! I'll switch brands and just eat fewer of them. Let's keep the pressure on!
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