Leicester-based furniture retailer has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for misleading advertising after a complaint from rival Sharps Furniture Group. The ASA upheld three breaches, centred on a website banner stating "Up to 40% off selected finishes + an extra 5% offer ends in […]" alongside a countdown clock. The regulator ruled that the timer misleadingly suggested both discounts would expire simultaneously, when only the additional 5% was time-limited, potentially pressuring consumers into rushed purchases.
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Further complaints concerned Hammonds Furniture's claims on its "Why choose Hammonds?" webpage, which stated "We won't be beaten on quality and price" and "we can offer you better quality furniture at a price others can't beat." Although the company cited its price match promise, the ASA found these assertions unsubstantiated, noting only limited price checks against a single competitor. The bespoke nature of Hammonds' products made independent verification difficult.
As a result, the ASA has banned the adverts in their current form and instructed Hammonds to clearly explain offer terms and avoid comparative claims without sufficient evidence.
Source: www.thebusinessdesk.com
