Online Retailer Zavvi Faces Regulatory Heat for Misleading Competition

  • Zavvi faces backlash from ASA over Disneyland prize draw controversy
  • ASA orders Zavvi not to run competition in its current form again
  • Winners denied prize due to late response according to retailer’s terms
  • Retailer failed to prominently state 24-hour reply rule
  • ASA states that necessary information should be clearly stated in ads

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has taken online retailer Zavvi to task over a recent competition offering customers who paid with Mastercard between September 19 and October 31 the chance to win a trip to Disneyland Paris. The winners complained that they were denied their prize due to not responding within 24 hours as per the terms of the contest. Zavvi argued that it sometimes followed up with winners via email or phone, but didn’t guarantee it. ASA found that the 24-hour rule wasn’t prominently stated and ruled the competition unfair, ordering Zavvi not to run it in its current form again.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the Advertising Standards Authority’s ruling against Zavvi and their competition. It includes relevant details about the competition rules, the winner’s complaint, and the ASA’s reasoning for its decision. The article does not include any digressions or unnecessary background information, nor does it present personal opinions as facts.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about a specific incident involving Zavvi and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) but lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of broader implications. It focuses on a single event without discussing long-term trends or possibilities.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Zavvi
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses an issue related to a competition run by Zavvi, an online retailer, and the Advertising Standards Authority’s ruling against them. This could potentially impact the company’s reputation and future promotions, which may affect its financial performance.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event in the text. The issue mentioned is a regulatory action taken against Zavvi by the Advertising Standards Authority for not handling their competition fairly.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk