Latest news with #MarkShaw
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Costa Coffee is accused of 'shameless attempt to game the system' after promising customers free drinks in return for good reviews
Costa Coffee has been accused of being 'shameless' after one of its branches promised customers free drinks in return for them leaving positive reviews. The outlet in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, had propped up a sign which offered 'any medium size drink for free' if customers showed proof that they had given the store a rating of nine or ten in a feedback email. It is unclear whether such reviews were for internal or external use, but the chain, which is Britain's largest, has now come under fire for seemingly going against new consumer guidance. Shocked at witnessing the sign on his visit to the branch, Mark Shaw posted a picture to X and wrote: 'Dear Costa Coffee, love to hear your thoughts on this. Surely it makes a total mockery of your reviews.' In response, the company's official account, which has almost 275,000 followers, replied: 'Ooh that's quite cheeky, drop us a DM so we can chase this up Mark?'. The branch has taken the sign down. The branch's offer comes after the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 was published in April, which outlined strict details on how it is unlawful for 'fake reviews' to be posted. A 'fake review' is described as being a 'consumer review that purports to be, but is not, based on a person's genuine experience'. Martyn James criticised Costa for encouraging customers to leave positive feedback in exchange for a reward, saying such reviews should only be 'given freely, without incentive or manipulation'. It is unclear whether such reviews were for internal or external use, but the chain, which is Britain's largest, has now come under fire for seemingly going against new consumer guidance He told The Telegraph: 'Given that review sites are now covered by law, this frankly outrageous attempt to game the system is as shameless as it is forbidden. As customers, we all need to question reviews until the new rules are fully enforced. 'How can you trust reviews when they've bribed someone? I've no problem with them encouraging you. If your service is good you don't need to bribe anyone to do it.' Consumer law solicitor, Dr Jennifer Obaseki, also told the newspaper that while 'no one is likely to sue for a "lost coffee opportunity', that consumer watchdogs take a 'dim view' of promotions which officer incentives in return for feedback. Fines of up to £300,000 or 10 per cent of a company's global turnover can be brought forward if infringements are found under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. A Costa Coffee spokesman said: 'We are aware of a sign that was displayed in one of our franchise stores, which was put up without approval and does not reflect company policy. 'As soon as we became aware of the sign, we asked the store to remove it, which they have done.'
Telegraph
11-08-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Anger brews over Costa Coffee's ‘free drink for good review' offer
A Costa branch has been branded 'shameless' after promising customers a free coffee in exchange for a good review. The outlet in Potters Bar, Herts, had a sign on the counter that promised customers 'any medium-sized drink for free' if they rated the store a nine or 10 out of 10 on an emailed feedback form. Mark Shaw, who posted a photo of the sign on X, wrote: 'Costa Coffee, love to hear your thoughts on this. Surely it makes a total mockery of your reviews?' The official account of the nation's biggest coffee chain replied: 'Ooh that's quite cheeky, drop us a DM so we can chase this up Mark?' Martyn James, a consumer rights expert, said that customer reviews 'only work if they are given freely, without incentive or manipulation'. He added: 'Given that review sites are now covered by law, this frankly outrageous attempt to game the system is as shameless as it is forbidden. As customers, we all need to question reviews until the new rules are fully enforced. It is unclear whether the review was posted to be publicly on a review site, or sent internally to Costa Coffee, to be eligible for the free drink. The incident comes just months after new rules came into force under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, making it unlawful to post fake reviews, or to conceal incentives given in exchange for reviews. Mr Shaw said: 'How can you trust reviews when they've bribed someone? I've no problem with them encouraging you. If your service is good you don't need to bribe anyone to do it. 'No harm in telling me and it helps the branch You don't have to give me a free cup of coffee, but maybe that's the way the world works now.' Dr Jennifer Obaseki, a solicitor specialising in consumer law, said: 'Making the coffee conditional on writing a review can be legally awkward. While no one is likely to sue for a 'lost coffee opportunity', consumer regulators take a dim view of promotions that pressure customers into leaving positive feedback.' Fines for breaching rule go up to £300,000 Under the Act, any incentive, from cash to free products, must be clearly disclosed to other customers. Failure to do this can result in large fines, up to £300,000 or 10 per cent of the company's global turnover, whichever is higher. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) guidance warns that concealed incentives can mislead shoppers, and risks eroding public trust in online rating. A Costa Coffee spokesman said: 'We are aware of a sign that was displayed in one of our franchise stores, which was put up without approval and does not reflect company policy. 'As soon as we became aware of the sign, we asked the store to remove it, which they have done.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Everest names new CCO for International Insurance
Re/insurer Everest has appointed Mark Shaw as the chief commercial officer for its International Insurance operation. Shaw, who joined the company in 2022, will report to Adam Clifford and Jason Keen, co-leads of Everest Insurance International. He will also continue to serve in the Global Broking team, led by Anthony Izzo, senior vice president, chief global broking officer, and head of global facultative and hybrid solutions. Clifford said: 'Mark is an exceptional commercial leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and delivering strong outcomes for clients and brokers. 'His experience and insight across the UK and international markets will be key to elevating our market engagement and further expanding our global distribution platform.' In his new role, Shaw will be responsible for leading the division's international distribution strategy and client engagement model. He will also focus on the strengthening of broker and client relationships, and support targeted growth within key markets. Shaw has more than two decades of experience, which includes senior roles at global carriers, with expertise across underwriting, distribution, and commercial strategy. Prior to this, he served as UK commercial director and global account lead within the London market. In addition, Shaw will oversee the expansion of Everest's distribution leadership team, including the company's UK and European retail business, client practice, and the Everest Global Markets division. In Q1 2025, Everest Group reported a net income of $210m, a decrease from the $733m reported in the same period the previous year. "Everest names new CCO for International Insurance " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
I transformed an MoT garage into a Riba award-winning home
Mark Shaw, an architect, has a 'pathological fear' of the cold. So when it came to designing his own house from scratch, it had to be heat-efficient and the antithesis of the 'wonky, dark and damp' Victorian terrace he was living in. His vision, a series of boxes connected by glass screens positioned to track the sun, scooped a Riba London 2025 award last week. The judges praised Shaw's response to the awkwardness of the site, a former MoT garage tucked behind a row of houses in Walthamstow, northeast London. 'It was a long journey, so the recognition is great,' says the Scotsman and founder of the practice Studioshaw. He is not exaggerating. He acquired the plot at auction in 2016, remortgaging his house in
