This is absolutely not a new phenomenon in the slightest, companies across all industries are always messing with their products trying to reduce costs when pos

This is absolutely not a new phenomenon in the slightest, companies across all industries are always messing with their products trying to reduce costs when possible. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It may be more pronounced in times where consumers are more price-conscious, as companies try to raise/maintain profits without avoid raising prices -- hoping that budget minded consumers will accept this tradeoff more than in extravagant times.