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Supermarkets accused of pushing "confusing" promo labels

Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have all been accused of saturating their stores with "confusing" promotional labels that offer little to no discount. Research by consumer advocacy group Choice suggests one-in-four shoppers feel "misled" by discount stickers, finding it difficult to discern the promo price from the original price. More than 1,000 customers across the country took part in the <a title="www.choice.com.au" href="https://www.choice.com.au/unclearsupermarketspecials" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a>, which surveyed price tags regularly used by Woolworths, Coles and Aldi that featured phrases such as “down down”, “member price” and “prices dropped”. According to the report, which has been passed on to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Supermarkets Inquiry, it was Coles that caused the most confusion, with their "while stocks last" stickers proving to be unclear to the average shopper. Coles told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/woolworths-coles-and-aldi-accused-of-confusing-promotional-labels/news-story/c2a350bd62dd0a0ba9c4fad04fa69435" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> its “while stocks last” tickets offer customers the chance to buy items which are only available at Coles for a limited time, and which are unlikely to be restocked once the products are sold out. But according to Choice, one-third of shoppers surveyed believed products tagged with the bright yellow tag were discounted, while another third were unsure of its meaning. Woolworths’ “member price” was also found to cause “considerable confusion”, according to the consumer watchdog. Meanwhile Aldi’s “super savers” label were also found to leave many Aussies confused, with a third of those surveyed unsure if it was a discount, according to the research. “Consumers look for products that are the best value for money but it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to decipher the promotional tags being used by the supermarkets,” Choice said. “Consumers are drawn to promotional tags that make it look like one product is potentially better value or a good deal, compared to other products." However, the labels are “confusing and potentially misleading” and without contextual information or historical pricing data, “consumers have no way of knowing if they are getting a good deal or not." Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have all responded to the report, with Coles saying in a statement, “Customer feedback is important to us. Our goal is to always be as clear as possible and we are taking steps to update this ticket over the coming months.” Choice has called for “transparent pricing” from supermarkets in the report “to ensure that people are able to effectively compare products, recognise genuine discounts and make informed decisions” when buying their groceries. Choice is also calling for strong enforcement action from the ACCC to “send a clear message to the supermarkets that misleading pricing is unacceptable”. Image credits: Choice

Money & Banking

"Shameful": Betting company slammed for 9-11 themed "Never Forget" promo

DraftKings, a prominent sports betting company in the US, has found itself in hot water on social media this past Monday when it featured a parlay with a 9/11 theme on its mobile app – on the 22nd anniversary of the infamous terror attacks of September 11. Social media users were quick to share screenshots of the DraftKings app late on Sunday night, revealing a parlay named "Never Forget". This special parlay entailed wagering on the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and New York Jets to secure victories on Monday, marking the 22nd anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre. The parlay's description urged users to "Bet these New York teams to win tonight on 9/11," drawing sharp criticism from the online community. Many expressed their disapproval of DraftKings seemingly attempting to profit from the solemn occasion. The parlay remained accessible on the app throughout Sunday night and into Monday morning, further fuelling public discontent over the sports betting company's decision. However, DraftKings eventually removed the parlay on Monday and issued an official apology for its inclusion. Their statement read, "We sincerely apologise for the featured parlay that was shared briefly in commemoration of 9/11. We respect the significance of this day for our country and especially for the families of those who were directly affected." Bret Eagleson, who leads the 9/11 Justice organisation, an advocacy group representing families and first responders, strongly condemned DraftKings' offer as "tone-deaf". Eagleson, whose father, Bruce, tragically lost his life in the World Trade Centre attacks, emphasised to the Associate Press: "It is shameful to use the national tragedy of 9/11 to promote a business. We need accountability, justice, and closure, not self-interest and shameless promotion." DraftKings did not disclose how many individuals placed bets as a result of the 9/11-themed offer, leaving questions unanswered regarding the status of those wagers - whether they remain valid or if they have been cancelled. Images: Twitter (X)

Legal

Woman spots dead husband in restaurant's new promo video

A seemingly innocent promotional Facebook advertisement has prompted a slew of theories online, after a woman claims to have seen her dead husband sitting in a restaurant. An Indian restaurant by the name of Spice Cottage, located in West Sussex in the UK, has been flooded with social media comments after posting a video of their bustling business. The video shows happy diners tucking into meals as waiters attend to customers in the clip, which ends with a round of applause for the staff. After the video was shared to Facebook, a woman by the name of Lucy Watson commented a strange question, asking, "How old is the footage? My late husband and his son are on the first shot and he died in 2014??" A reply from the restaurant said, "Hi Lucy, sorry to hear this. This footage was recorded last week.'" The post has now amassed hundreds of comments from social media users, who swapped theories about the bizarre mystery. One person demanded an update from Ms Watson on her husband's death, while others chose to look on the lighter side as the jokes rolled in. One Facebook user said, "He wasn't dead. He was just in a korma." Another wrote, "I was there on this day and the flat bread that I ordered arrived after our main course, it was my late naan." Both Ms Watson and Spice Cottage have yet to comment further on the mystery. Image credits: Facebook

Family & Pets

Matthew Perry fans worried over latest Friends promo

Fans have been left in a state of worry over Matthew Perry’s wellbeing, after the Friends reunion promotional video aired. The 51-year-old sat with his co-stars, with an odd gaze and laboured pattern speech. People magazine’s website and YouTube channel posted the video on Wednesday to promote the HBO Max special. Perry appeared with former co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc as they talked about how it felt to be reunited for the legendary sitcom one last time. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPD_CWQnELw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPD_CWQnELw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Friends (@friends)</a> </div> </blockquote> When asked about whether he ever took a souvenir from the old set after the end of the show in 2004, Perry could be heard slurring his words. “I stole the cookie jar that had the clock on it,” he said, pronouncing a distinct “sh” sound at the beginning of “stole.” The comment worried fans, with one saying: “Just saw People interview and can’t believe how Matthew Perry looks like … seriously it breaks my heart.” Another fan wrote, “It pains me to see Matthew Perry like this, he just seems off, gazing at the void, speaking slowly.” “Hate to say it, but I’m sad and scared like hell for Matthew Perry,” a third viewer added. “Damn, Matthew Perry in those PEOPLE Friends interviews.” A third said: “Just watched @people exclusive interview clip of Friends casts and the time hasn’t been kind. I hope Matthew Perry is okay. Damn how much I love them.” The Friends cast reunited at Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios in LA. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841341/daily-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/badef58d7fb2432eb43ac3c906b4a167" /> Perry has been extremely candid about his struggle with addiction for many years. He revealed his problems reached a dangerous point after a 1997 jet ski accident left him addicted to Vicodin. “I was out of control and very unhealthy,” he told People at the time. Perry admitted that he doesn’t recall filming multiple seasons. By 2001, the star was drinking large amounts of vodka and showing up to set hungover. “I don’t remember three years of it,” he told BBC Radio 2 in 2016. “Somewhere between Seasons 3 and 6 … I was a little out of it.” The star is now happily engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz, who accompanied him to the reunion. Image: Instagram

Coles shopper's frightening discovery on free promo knife

A Coles customer has spoken of her concern after an unsettling incident with a knife she collected during the supermarket's recent promotion. Late last year, Coles gave shoppers the opportunity to collect premium MasterChef knives for free every time they shopped in store or online. Now, Rosie from Victoria has taken to social media to reveal how her steak knife developed a large crack in the blade. Speaking to 7News, a spokesperson for Coles said the supermarket is currently investigating the incident with its supplier. A photo posted by the customer shows that the knife has nearly snapped in two. “So what’s up with the @masterchefau knife doing this?” Rosie asked on Coles’ official Twitter page. “Did no more than slice a steak or two and the odd chop, plus a trip or two in the dishie. “Known fault? Anyone else have the same? Glad it didn’t fly off into someone.” Rosie said she was "genuinely concerned" the issue may happen to another Coles shopper with the knives. A <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.coles.com.au/" target="_blank">Coles</a> spokesperson apologised for the incident, and said the supermarket was looking into the issue. “We’re sorry to see this has happened. We have contacted the customer and will be investigating the matter with our supplier,” the spokesperson said. To help ensure our customers get the best use from their MasterChef knives, we have provided safety and care instructions online at <a rel="noopener" href="http://coles.com.au/howtocareknives" target="_blank">www.coles.com.au/howtocareknives</a>.”

Legal

Nike blasted for "fiery" Australian Open promo

As the country faces extensive damage and a climbing death toll from the long-running bushfire crisis, Nike has received a brutal lashing over an ad for its new Australian Open apparel. The major fashion brand has been forced to change the wording of an article detailing its new tennis collection, which said: “Melbourne also tracks the hottest temperatures of any of tennis’ four majors. “Averaging more than 100 degrees (37 degrees Celsius), the heat challenges players and, in turn, NikeCourt’s apparel designers to outduel the fiery conditions.” Tennis writer for the New York Times Ben Rothenberg quickly called out Nike’s poor choice of verbiage on Twitter. “Juuuust a bit tone deaf here, Nike,” he said alongside a screenshot of the article. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Juuuust a bit tone deaf here, Nike. <a href="https://t.co/2wHl52PbP9">pic.twitter.com/2wHl52PbP9</a> — Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1213225461066584064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> A number of disgruntled users commented on the article’s wording, labelling the gaffe “appalling” and “inappropriate”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/Nike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nike</a> how much are you donating to bushfire relief? Double it after this awful bit of copywriting. <a href="https://t.co/SKbPgcflpE">https://t.co/SKbPgcflpE</a> — NoughtyTea (@WTAInsideher) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTAInsideher/status/1213236821133611009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Tone deaf to the point of disrespectful. — AllAboutTennisBlog (@TennisBlogger1) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisBlogger1/status/1213225938311401473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> .<a href="https://twitter.com/Nike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nike</a> should probably rethink the copy on this given the current situation. <a href="https://t.co/P7TKOlzyps">https://t.co/P7TKOlzyps</a> — Greg Rohan (@gregsta82) <a href="https://twitter.com/gregsta82/status/1213257339748278273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2020</a></blockquote> Nike later changed the phrasing on their website. “This garment is informed by Atlas body-mapping to identify the areas that tend to overheat (notably under the bra and at the neckline) and is pieced together to maximise breathability in those spaces,” the new write-off said. In lieu of the oversight by the major fashion brand, tennis celebrities all over the world have made pledges to donate to charities working with those affected by the Australian bushfires. Ash Barty saw the early signs of devastation when flying home across Australia following the Fed Cup final. Last November, she found a nearby animal shelter and donated money as at that time, animals were the main causalities of the deadly flames. As Australia now is suffering its worst wildfire season in recorded history with a death toll of 24, Barty is joining the fundraising for a wider relied effort by donating any prize money she wins at the Brisbane International, to the Australian Red Cross. The winner of the tournament will earn more than $360,000 and begins on Monday. “It's been really terrible, it really has. For me this started two or three months ago,” Barty said of the damage caused. “We have to remember, this has been going on for a long time across our whole country. The first I saw of it was actually flying home ... to the east coast and we could see some of the smoke and some of the fires. “Obviously the worst of it is still out there at the moment. Now it's not just the wildlife, it's also affected Australians with their lives and their homes." Nick Kyrgios revealed he would donate $200 for every ace he hits throughout summer. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I’ll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MoreToCome?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MoreToCome</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StayTuned?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StayTuned</a> — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1212677231270645762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2020</a></blockquote> 20-year-old Australian-Spanish Alex de Minaur also pledged a further $250. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I like this I will go $250 per ace, just because I don’t think I’ll be hitting as many aces as you mate. 😂😂😂 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dropthehammer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dropthehammer</a> <a href="https://t.co/SxMPs3XQud">https://t.co/SxMPs3XQud</a> — alex de minaur (@alexdeminaur) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexdeminaur/status/1212686230296547328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I will be donating $100 for every Ace I hit during the Australian Open Swing + every Ace <a href="https://twitter.com/ashbarty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashbarty</a> and I hit as a team in doubles at the <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AustralianOpen</a>, to help support those affected by the wildfires in Australia. I love you Australia 🇦🇺❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/everylittlehelps?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#everylittlehelps</a> <a href="https://t.co/6fIu0nyinA">pic.twitter.com/6fIu0nyinA</a> — Jule Goerges✌️🇩🇪 (@juliagoerges) <a href="https://twitter.com/juliagoerges/status/1213588854747357191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Well guys, you know I love Australia, but you also know I don't hit too many aces 😜 Sooo I want to help and my pledge is this... every time I give <a href="https://twitter.com/darren_cahill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@darren_cahill</a> a hard time in my box during all my matches in Aus, I will donate $200. This way I will raise a lot more money ❤️🇦🇺 — Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) <a href="https://twitter.com/Simona_Halep/status/1213659339107504133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2020</a></blockquote>

News

Woolies blames plastic bag ban and Coles' Little Shop promo for slump in sales

Plastic bags and Coles’ miniature toys are being blamed for a slump in Woolworths sales. The supermarket giant reported a sales hit for the first quarter of the 2019 financial year, with its full-year results tracking at 1.3 per cent, down from 3.1 per cent in the last quarter of 2018. Woolworths group chief executive Brad Banducci told news.com.au part of the slump was due to customers adjusting to the phasing out of single-use plastic bags. He said the company expect sales to improve over the course of the half the year. “Our customer satisfaction metrics are broadly back to levels prior to the removal of single-use plastic bags, including Time in Queue,” he said. Woolworths officially banned single-use plastic bags from stores in June, a move that proved contentious with customers. Mr Banducci admitted the supermarket had been caught off guard by the backlash to the plastic bag ban and would have done things differently “a second time around”, but “wouldn’t have changed our decision”. “The impact and the time for customers to get used (to the ban) has been greater than any of us had thought,” he said. “It has been a more painful adjustment than we thought. We know from our experience in pilot stores (it takes) eight to 10 weeks for people to adjust, so we’re still in the early stage.” Competitor Coles’ Little Shop miniature toy promotion was also blamed for the sales drop. Speaking to analysts, Mr Banducci said the Coles Little Shop had reduced the overall number of visits to Woolies, “particularly with grandparents buying plastic toys for their kids”. He said Coles Little Shop was a “successful program and it’s having traction”. “Were the numbers greater than we expected? Probably a little bit,” he said. Mr Banducci said the focus was on fixing the basics and being ‘consistently good’ at the fundamentals. Woolworths increased its full-year net profit by 12.5 per cent to $1.72 billion, with total sales up 3.4 per cent to $56.7 billion.

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