Advertising Standards Authority
This coverage examines the Advertising Standards Authority’s rulings, guidance, and investigations as they impact UK retail marketing and promotions. With a focus on compliance, consumer protection, and brand reputation, the reporting helps retail professionals navigate advertising regulations, assess risks, and adapt campaigns to meet ASA standards — supporting informed decision-making for those managing retail communications and marketing strategy.
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Aug- 2018 -8 AugustHigh Street
‘Misleading’ Sports Direct ad reprimanded by ASA
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a Sports Direct ad for “misleading” customers about the original price of a product, and warned the firm to make its delivery charges to online customers clearer. The sportswear retailer’s website was found to be promoting a pair of Karrimor walking boots for…
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Jun- 2018 -13 JuneDepartment Stores
M&S reprimanded by ASA over Christmas claim
M&S has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after they claimed that they were the only “supermarket where Christmas dinner cost less than last year”. A Good Housekeeping survey was used as the basis of M&S’ claims, however the ASA said this was “misleading” and “substantiation” because “it…
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6 JuneClothing & Shoes
Silks ad that ‘objectified women’ banned
A poster advert for Scottish lingerie retailer Silks has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for “objectifying women” after it showed an image of a woman leaning forwards to emphasise her breasts with her head out of shot. This morning’s ASA ruling said that the advert “invited viewers…
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1 JuneGovernment
ASA wants Viagogo adverts blocked as it battles with ticket vendor
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has told search engines including Google and Bing to block all adverts by secondary ticket retailer Viagogo. The move comes after the ASA said Viagogo promised on 23 March 2018 to “make compulsory fees sufficiently clear by 26 May 2018”. The ticket retailer appears to…
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Apr- 2018 -18 AprilClothing & Shoes
Wish.com reprimanded for penis advert on video games aimed at children
Online retailer Wish.com has been displaying an advert showing an animation of a cartoon penis being put in an extender strap sold on the website, on video game apps aimed at children. This represents the third time in five months that the US company has been found to have breached…
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4 AprilOnline & Digital
Amazon reprimanded by watchdog over ‘misleading’ ads
Four adverts by Amazon have been banned after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said they were “misleading”. In a series of TV adverts in July last year, Amazon promoted items such as a laptop gaming monitor, TV and an electric toothbrush with savings of over £300 on their RRP. The…
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Feb- 2018 -7 FebruaryGovernment
Poundland Christmas Elf campaign banned by ASA
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned Poundland’s ‘Elf Behaving Badly’ campaign following the numerous complaints it received. The Christmas campaign was run on Poundland’s social media pages and depicted a children’s toy elf in a series of pictures that had sexual connotations. ASA said it received 85 complaints…
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