CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
A recent study by the CSIRO has found that when purchased at the cinema kiosk, the confectionary product known as Maltesers are almost as expensive per unit as cigarettes.
The chocolates, which are made up of a roughly spherical malted milk centre, surrounded by milk chocolate, has for many years been a favourite for Australian moviegoers, who are often tricked into impulsively purchasing the product at extortionate rates, purely as a nod to the tradition of having some cheeky snacks while watching a film.
The chocolates are sold in a variety of packaging, including plastic bags (ranging in size from small ‘fun-size’ upwards), larger cardboard boxes and tubes, and plastic buckets (ranging in size from medium to very large) – but are traditionally sold in units of 20-30 at Dendy and Cineplex snack bars.
“It’s daylight robbery” said one CSIRO researcher, Alfie Tuqiri.
“These cinemas are charging like wounded bulls. We have found some places even charging more than a dollar per unit. That’s close to $50 for a bag of snacks that would only sting you for a fiver at the servo”
Another finding from the report indicated that 90% of all purchases are completed before the credits finish. Meaning the confectionary is on average costing consumers one dollar a minute.
