Shrinkage

Shrinkage is a term in sales used to describe the loss rate of products between point of manufacture and point of sale. Sometimes shrinkage may be as high as 15% to 20% of total volume, having a major negative impact on profits. Shrinkage is often considered a cost of doing business in retail.

Not all shrinkage is theft or the result of crime, although the prevention of this type of shrinkage is one reason for security guards. Some shrinkage is due to damage in transit, shipping errors or misplaced goods.

As Seinfeldism

Used in the television sitcom Seinfeld to refer to the shrinking of a man's (specifically George Costanza) penis in cold water.

See also: economics