Latest news with #consumerRights
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Did you reserve train seats only for someone else to sit in them? This is how you could get ALL your money back... and even compensation! DEAN DUNHAM
I bought train tickets with assigned seats for me and my friend but, once on board, people were sitting in them and refused to move. It was packed so we couldn't sit together. What are my rights? J.F., Bath. Dean Dunham replies: Generally speaking, consumers should always get 'what it says on the tin' – so, as you reserved specific seats, they should have been made available to you.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Calls to legally require supermarkets to reveal ‘shrinkflation' to customers
Supermarkets would be forced to tell their customers if they want them to 'pay more for less' under proposals designed to tackle 'shrinkflation'. The Liberal Democrats want government legislation amended to legally require large supermarkets to inform shoppers when the quantity of goods within a pre-packaged product has decreased thereby increasing the price per unit of measurement. Details of the changes would need to be attached or placed alongside the product for a 60-day period, according to the amendment tabled to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. Digestive biscuits, butter, crisps and chocolate bars were among the items found to have decreased in size while their unit cost increased, according to 2024 research by Compare the Market. MPs could be asked to vote on the Lib Dem proposal on Wednesday when the Bill returns to the Commons for its report stage. Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones said: 'The scourge of shrinkflation needs to be exposed. 'Shoppers have been hammered during a cost-of-living crisis all while massive companies and big supermarket chains are forcing them to pay more for less to protect their bottom lines. 'They need to be called out on it and for shoppers to know when they are at risk of being ripped off. 'The Government should accept this Liberal Democrat amendment so that we can help protect shoppers and their already stretched household budgets from another round of shrinkflation.' The Bill as a whole gives powers to ministers to regulate the marketing and use of goods in the UK after Brexit. It was previously amended in the House of Lords to provide protections to the imperial pint measure to ease fears over its future. The changes accepted by the Government would bar ministers from preventing or restricting the use of the pint in relation to draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers. It also provides a definition of a pint as 0.56826125 cubic decimetres. A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 'We're committed to protecting consumers from unfair commercial practices and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions on purchases. 'That's why we're bringing in strict new laws next year to make sure businesses use clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, and retailers show all unit prices in either kilograms or litres to improve clarity for shoppers.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Calls to legally require supermarkets to reveal ‘shrinkflation' to customers
Supermarkets would be forced to tell their customers if they want them to 'pay more for less' under proposals designed to tackle 'shrinkflation'. The Liberal Democrats want government legislation amended to legally require large supermarkets to inform shoppers when the quantity of goods within a pre-packaged product has decreased thereby increasing the price per unit of measurement. Details of the changes would need to be attached or placed alongside the product for a 60-day period, according to the amendment tabled to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill. Digestive biscuits, butter, crisps and chocolate bars were among the items found to have decreased in size while their unit cost increased, according to 2024 research by Compare the Market. MPs could be asked to vote on the Lib Dem proposal on Wednesday when the Bill returns to the Commons for its report stage. Lib Dem trade spokesman Clive Jones said: 'The scourge of shrinkflation needs to be exposed. 'Shoppers have been hammered during a cost-of-living crisis all while massive companies and big supermarket chains are forcing them to pay more for less to protect their bottom lines. 'They need to be called out on it and for shoppers to know when they are at risk of being ripped off. 'The Government should accept this Liberal Democrat amendment so that we can help protect shoppers and their already stretched household budgets from another round of shrinkflation.' The Bill as a whole gives powers to ministers to regulate the marketing and use of goods in the UK after Brexit. It was previously amended in the House of Lords to provide protections to the imperial pint measure to ease fears over its future. The changes accepted by the Government would bar ministers from preventing or restricting the use of the pint in relation to draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers. It also provides a definition of a pint as 0.56826125 cubic decimetres. A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 'We're committed to protecting consumers from unfair commercial practices and making sure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions on purchases. 'That's why we're bringing in strict new laws next year to make sure businesses use clearer labelling for prices on supermarket shelves, and retailers show all unit prices in either kilograms or litres to improve clarity for shoppers.'
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Inclusive Marketing Isn't A Requirement For Brands
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Rihanna celebrates the launch of Fenty Beauty at ULTA Beauty on ... More March 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo byfor Fenty Beauty by Rihanna) Vogue recently produced an ode to the iconic movie Hairspray featuring model Gigi Hadid. The problem many fans found with the video tribute, was that it didn't feature any plus-sized people, whom are a core part of the film. Fans of the movie were outraged, and let Vogue know they did not appreciate their erasure of plus-sized people. Years ago, cheesesteak shop Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia received a lot of backlash when the owner posted a sign that said, 'This is America. When ordering, please speak English.' And a few years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that a bakery in Denver could not be forced to create a wedding cake for an gay wedding. In each of these cases, and many more that we hear about in the news (and even more that we don't), brands are engaging with the number one rule of inclusive marketing. That rule is all about the power to choose who they want to serve. Brands and the leaders who run them, get to choose which identities they want see, support, and make feel like they belong. The challenge is, morally from a consumer standpoint, when it feels like brands take active choices to exclude certain people, it can be hurtful. Most people don't want to be excluded. But short of the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, there aren't really laws that dictate what brands choose and choose not to do with regard to who they serve. Because of that, brands don't have to support Pride, don't need to offer larger sizes, and don't even need to put people of color in their promotions or on their teams. Inclusive marketing isn't a requirement or a mandate, and it doesn't look like that will change in the near future. However, inclusive marketing is just good marketing. Based upon data, trends in the population, and consumer expectations, inclusive marketing is the future of marketing. No one is going to force a brand to engage in inclusive marketing. That's why as a society, there is still a representation problem in media and marketing. It's why there are many consumers with underserved identities that struggle to get their needs met. But it does make smart business sense for brands to get on board with it. Back in 2017 when Fenty Beauty launched with 40 shades of makeup to accomodate people of different complexions, consumers proved with their wallets that this type of inclusion is what they wanted. No one forced other makeup brands to follow suit with making more shades available, but the industry largely did it because they saw that serving more consumers was needed to grow and stay relevant. In addition, consumers are increasingly exercising their power to choose. Research shows that 82% of consumers want to buy from brands who share their values. Data also shows consumers are actively making choices to stop buying from brands who don't share their values. Inclusion is an important value for many consumers both for them, and for others who are part of underrepresented and underserved communitites. Research shows that 81% of consumers want to buy from brands who share their values. And data shows consumers are also are actively making choices to stop buying from brands who don't share their values. Inclusion is an important value for many consumers both for them, and for others who are part of underrepresented and underserved communitites. For instance, over the past two years, retailer Target has been under fire from consumers. It started in 2023 when the brand decided to scale back some of its Pride merchandise in response to angry (and sometimes threatening) reactions from consumers. And since early 2025, Target has been on the receiving end of consumer boycotts in response to the brand rolling back some of its commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Target recently announced first quarter sales were down, and are anticipating sales will be down for the year. They've attributed consumer boycotts based upon their policies as a contributor to declining sales. Every day consumers, particularly those from underrepresented and underserved communities are choosing to spend their money with the brands who are being intentional about serving them. I follow a gluten-free diet for health reasons. Any time I go out to eat with friends and family, we always choose a restaurant that has a gluten-friendly menu. That often means we go to the same restaurants over and over again. We are loyal to the brands that choose and are loyal to us. No matter your reason, know that choosing to engage in inclusive marketing or not will garner a response from consumers. Choosing not to engage in inclusive marketing is a choice brands have the right to make. Brands also need to be prepared for groups of consumers to proactively choose to spend their money elsewhere as a result.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
I can still hear people talking over my noise cancelling headphones. Can I get a refund? DEAN DUNHAM replies
I've bought noise cancelling headphones, but I can still hear people talking near me when I wear them. Can I get my money back? B R., By email.
