New Research Reveals Non-Compliance with GDPR
- Major retailers may break data protection rules by sending promotional marketing in e-receipts
- Which? conducted research on 11 retailers’ compliance with GDPR
- Topshop, Clarks, Gap, New Look, Arcadia Group, Schuh, Mothercare, Halfords, Currys PC World and Nike found non-compliant
- Halfords claims e-receipts conform to data protection law and GDPR
- Mothercare investigating findings
A recent study by Which? has discovered that several major retailers may be violating data protection rules by including promotional marketing in e-receipts sent to customers who explicitly requested no promotional emails. The investigation involved sending mystery shoppers to 11 stores, including Topshop, Clarks, Gap, New Look, Arcadia Group (Miss Selfridge, Outfit, Burton), Schuh, Mothercare, Halfords, Currys PC World, and Nike. Each shopper requested an e-receipt without marketing emails. The findings suggest that Mothercare, Schuh, Halfords, and Gap breached the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by including promotional content in their e-receipts. Retailers are now required to obtain consent before sending direct marketing to new customers under GDPR rules. In response to the research, Halfords stated that their e-receipts do not promote products or services and adhere to UK data protection law and GDPR. Mothercare is investigating the findings to ensure compliance.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the research conducted by Which? and the responses from the retailers. It reports on the findings of the investigation and includes statements from the companies involved. However, it could be improved by providing more details on the specific data protection rules that may have been broken and including the full responses from all the retailers.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about retailers potentially breaking data protection rules and their responses to the research conducted by Which?. It also mentions GDPR and its implications for marketing emails. However, it could benefit from more in-depth analysis or discussion of the consequences of these actions on consumers and potential legal repercussions.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Retailers
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses retailers potentially breaking data protection rules, which could impact their financial performance and reputation, affecting their sales and customer trust.
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, but the article discusses potential data protection rule violations by some retailers.
www.retailsector.co.uk