Latest news with #retailer
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Marks & Spencer advert with ‘unhealthily thin' model banned
An advert for Marks & Spencer has been banned for featuring a model who looked 'unhealthily thin'. The UK advertising watchdog concluded that it was 'irresponsible' for the retailer to use the image to advertise clothes on its mobile app. The Advertising Standards Authority said the model, who was wearing slim-fit trousers and a white top, 'appeared thin and she wore large pointed shoes which emphasised the slenderness of her legs'. Camera angles used also made the model's head appear out of proportion and 'highlighted her small frame', the ruling added. 'Therefore, we considered that the pose of the model and the choice of clothing meant the ad gave the impression that the model was unhealthily thin,' the ASA said. The retailer apologised for any offence caused and removed the image. An M&S spokeswoman said: 'Our womenswear sizing ranges from size 8 to 24 and we always want to reflect that in our advertising. 'The product images on our website feature models of varying sizes so we can appeal to all our customers, however following the ASA guidance, we have removed this particular image from our website and apologise for any offence caused.' Three more images were reported to the ASA by consumers, but the watchdog said there was no breach and did not ban them.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Dunelm has dropped hundreds of new pieces from £10 - and these budget-friendly finds could fool anyone into thinking you've hired a designer
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Dunelm has dropped a whole load of new homeware, and it already has interior design lovers drooling. The leading home furnishings retailer has been praised time and time again by homeowners as a brilliant source for stylish home and garden ware on a budget. Rivalling more expensive brands with their style-led designs but at a fraction of the price, Dunelm has become a valued source for those looking to update their homes without spending a fortune. And the latest drop is no exception with textured, earthy, natural colours that work to add a touch of sophistication and timeless style to any room. Dunelm new home edit Hotel Marble Tissue Box Cover At £15, this Hotel Marble Tissue Box Cover is sure to add a touch of luxury to any room on a budget. Chic and practical, the marble print is a simple way to add a polished touch to your bathroom, bedroom, or living space. A neat solution that keeps things tidy whilst looking stylish. £15 Shop Faux Mohair Throw 130cm x 180cm Dunelm shoppers are already raving about the gorgeous textured Faux Mohair Throw. Hailed 'exceptional value' and 'not in the least 'scratchy', it's a brilliant way to add comfort and texture to any space. £28 Shop Churchgate Woven Rattan Rectangle Tray You can buy similar rattan trays for well over £100, so at £25, the Dunelm version is a major find and well worth adding to keep your space organised. £25 Shop Stripe Underbed Storage Bag If your wardrobe is getting out of control, then it's time to take charge with Dunelm's pretty storage solution. The under-bed storage bag is an effortless way to stow away your belongings under the bed with a large capacity that will help organise and declutter your living area. £14 Shop Set of 3 Country Cotton Tea Towels Sometimes it's the little finishes that can make the biggest impression, take for example the Set of 3 Country Cotton Tea Towels. Made from 100 per cent cotton, these machine-washable towels bring a rustic yet refined touch to your kitchen. £10 Shop Textured Ceramic Urn Vase Shoppers are already snapping up this gorgeous textured ceramic urn vase. A statement piece, its size means it works as a floor vase, adding a touch of natural charm, giving a lovely, earthy feel to your living space. £26 Shop Hebden Narrow Stripe Cotton Fitted Sheet, double Grab these 100 per cent cotton striped sheets to your shopping bag before they sell out. Adding a timeless elegance to your bedroom, these have been inspired by Scandi minimalism and crafted with soft, breathable feel material that ensures ultimate comfort through the night. £18 Shop Soft & Cooling Blanket If the current heatwave is giving you sleepless, restless nights, then what about opting for this clever cooling blanket? The Soft & Cooling blanket is designed with a classic minimalist style but has a unique airflow regulation to help ensure a cool night's sleep. £32 Shop Ruri Rattan Table Lamp Add an ambient glow to any room with the Ruri Rattan Table Lamp. The sweet miniature trumpet shape and woven rattan design, is a stylish and eye-catching piece that can work in any space. £25 Shop
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Target to end price-matching of Amazon, Walmart. What to know.
Target is ending its guarantee to price-match Amazon and Walmart on July 28. A spokesperson for the retailer confirmed the policy change to USA TODAY. Beginning July 28, Target will only match its own in-store and online prices at if the price drops within 14 days, the spokesperson said. "We've found our guests overwhelmingly price match Target and not other retailers, which reflects the great value and trust in pricing consumers see across our assortment and deals," Target said in a statement released to USA TODAY. "Starting July 28, we'll update our Price Match Guarantee policy to reflect this, allowing consumers to continue to shop with confidence at Target stores and What is happening to Target's price-match policy? Target's current price-match policy says "We'll match the price if you buy a qualifying item at Target and then find the identical item for less at Amazon, Walmart or with a Target Circle™ deal (deals that apply automatically upon identifying yourself as a Target Circle member). Price matches may be requested at time of purchase or within 14 days after purchase." "Target's Price Match Guarantee, paired with our commitment to being priced right daily, ensures guests get great prices when shopping Target.," the statement from the retailer said. Eliminating the price match for Walmart and Amazon items, "generally speaking puts us in line with what the rest of the industry already does," a spokesperson for Target told USA TODAY. Neither Amazon nor Walmart currently match competitors' prices. Walmart ended the practice in 2019. Walmart's policy says it will match the price of the identical item advertised on for purchases in a Walmart store and the store manager has the final decision. Walmart does not price match items purchased from its website or products sold by competitors. It also won't match the price of an item previously purchased on that now costs less. Additionally, Walmart doesn't price-match items available through Marketplace on or third-party sellers or items in its Neighborhood markets. On its website, Amazon says of its price-matching policy: "we constantly evaluate Amazon's prices to offer customers low, competitive prices every day. As a result, we don't offer price matching." There are still retailers who have a price-match guarantee. Best Buy's policy will match the price of a new identical product. It must be a matching brand, model number and color. End of price matching at Target is bad news for consumers Ending the competitor price match at Target is "a deterioration in customer service,'' said Neil Saunders, a retail analyst at the research and analytics firm GlobalData. "But to be fair to Target, it is simply bringing it into line with most other retailers. There is a sense that perhaps Target was being too generous with its price matching policy." "Price matching is more important on big-ticket items, such as appliances and electronics, as these goods are expensive, and shoppers are very active in making price comparisons," he said. "It is also easy to compare items as they are usually brands and carry specific model numbers, which are easy to research online." End of Target price match policy is financial, analyst says While Target's policy change brings it in line with other retailers, the move also helps simplify processes and protect profits, said Saunders. "Target's profitability and margins have weakened over recent years, and if it wants to invest more in stores, then it needs to be more financially disciplined," Saunders told USA TODAY. "Ending price matching helps to achieve this, especially at a time when costs are rising because of tariffs. That said, this is only one part of the puzzle and there is a lot more Target needs to do to bolster its bottom line." Consumer boycotts: Target donated $300,000 to a Black church group. Why boycott activists want it returned. Retailer has been target of consumer boycotts Target has also been struggling, along with other retailers, this year, from slumping sales as shoppers face economic uncertainty, including worries about rising prices due to tariffs. Target slashed its annual forecast during its last earnings report on May 21, reporting a sharp fall in quarterly same-store sales as customers pulled back on purchases because of worries about inflation and the economy. Target also acknowledged that its performance was affected by consumer boycotts. There have been several boycotts by consumers angry that the retailer has retreated from its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Two separate actions initiated by members of the Black community continue to encourage people to not to shop at the retailer temporarily or permanently. When asked if financial struggles, including tariffs and consumer boycotts, affected Target's decision to end its price-matching policy, a Target spokesperson said the policy was changing due to shoppers mostly price-matching Target products and not competitors. Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@ or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher and @ on Bluesky. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Target is ending its price-match policy for competitors. Why? 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Phone Arena
4 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Amazon brings the Galaxy Tab A9+ to even more budget-friendly price with its latest deal
Apparently, Amazon is feeling quite generous, offering a hefty $330 discount on the Galaxy Tab S9, dropping it below the $467 mark. But if you want a capable Galaxy Tab at an even cheaper price and don't need all the firepower of a high-end model, the retailer's deal on the Galaxy Tab A9+ is probably more up your model with 64GB of storage is currently selling at a 23% discount, cutting $51 off its price. This allows bargain hunters to score one for just under $160, which is a solid price for everything this bad boy offers in return. $50 off (23%) The Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB) is currently 23% off on Amazon, bringing the price down to just below $170. Equipped with a Snapdragon 695 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a sharp 11-inch display, this affordable tablet delivers reliable performance and solid value for the price. Act fast and save! Buy at Amazon Sure, it's not among the best tablets money can buy, but it still packs a lot of value, especially for just under $160. For instance, it rocks a Snapdragon 695 chipset and 4GB of RAM, delivering good enough performance for daily tasks like web browsing and video streaming. The best part? It comes with a dedicated slot for a microSD card, so you can expand its storage space, since 64GB probably won't be enough to house all your photos and videos. Another standout feature is its beautiful 11-inch LCD display, offering a 1920 x 1200 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio that delivers rich, detailed visuals on the cheap. Complementing the display are four stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, providing immersive sound. Add in a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, and you've got a device that feels fast and responsive without breaking the bank. All in all, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is a solid pick for anyone who wants an affordable slate with decent performance and intends to use the tablet mainly for watching videos and browsing the web. So, if it checks all the right boxes for you, don't miss out—save today!
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Major discount store with 178 shops will shut TWO branches in just hours as closing down sale launched
A MAJOR discount store with 178 shops will shut two branches and has launched huge closing down sales. The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) is preparing to close sites in Bridlington and Caernarfon this Sunday, July 20. 1 Both branches will close for the last time tomorrow, giving shoppers just hours to say their goodbyes. Huge closing down sales have been launched across the stores, with the Bridlington branch offering 70% off all stock. Meanwhile, the Caernarfon is also offering 70% off all items in store, with employees encouraging shoppers to "grab a bargain while you can". That means a £2 item will now scan for 60p and a product which cost £80 will now cost £24. The closures have come as a blow to some locals with one sharing they were "so sick of things closing down". A fan of the Caernarfon store also said: "The only decent shop we had left such a shame." While another added: "Sorry to see the store closing staff and manager were very helpful." And another upset shopper chimed in: "Gutted. Not a great decision." The budget retailer has been closing stores across the UK as part of a major restructuring. The brand already closed down eight stores in late June, including branches in Pershore and Perth. Major card chain with 163 shops launches closing down sales ahead of shutting its doors for good A site in Cumbria also closed down in July 12. A further three stores - Middlewich, Heswall and Ashbourne - are also set to close but no date has been given yet. You can check out the full list here: Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire - June 26 Perth - June 28 Chester Le Street, County Durham - June 28 Arbroath, Angus - June 28 Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire - June 28 Pershore, Worcestershire - June 28 Normanton, West Yorkshire - June 28 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire - June 28 Shaftesbury, Dorset - June 28 Staveley, Cumbria - July 12 Bridlington - July 20 Caernarfon - July 20 Cupar, Fife - July 27 Kirkham, Lancashire - August Middlewich, Cheshire - TBC Blairgowrie, Scotland - TBC Ashbourne - TBC Heswall - TBC What's been happening with The Original Factory Shop? Private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores. Modella is known for picking up struggling retailers, having also recently acquired Hobbycraft and WHSmith 's high street shops. It is set to rebrand all WHSmith high street stores to TGJones, and has brought in advisers to look at potential options for Hobbycraft. At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS. Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business. They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords. TOFS previously told The Press and Journal that a "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
