ASA Finds Retailer’s Sale Advertisement Misleading

  • Debenhams Facebook ad banned for misleading price claims
  • Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found the advert misleading
  • Retailer claimed third-party suppliers controlled promotions and pricing

A Debenhams Facebook ad promoting a sale with up to 60% off fashion, home, and beauty products has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for misleading claims. The ASA found that the advertiser could not substantiate its claim that all featured products were included in the promotion and had not received sales data from Debenhams to verify normal selling prices. Debenhams argued that third-party suppliers controlled promotions and pricing, but the ASA concluded the ad was misleading and breached advertising codes.

Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the banned Debenhams Facebook advert and the reasons behind it being banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). It also mentions the ASA’s concerns regarding the misleading claims in the ad. However, the article includes a link to sign up for a newsletter which may be considered as a promotional element.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides some relevant information about a banned Facebook ad for Debenhams due to misleading claims but also includes an unrelated link to sign up for the Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter at the end.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Debenhams
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a financial issue related to Debenhams, a retailer, which impacts the company’s reputation and potentially its sales. It also mentions the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banning an advert, which can affect the company’s marketing strategy and finances.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event in the text.

Reported publicly: www.retailgazette.co.uk