Beware of 'sneaky' marketing tactic this supermarket uses to fool Aussie shoppers

Navigating the aisles of a supermarket can be quite an adventure, especially for those of us who have seen many shopping trends come and go.

However, one thing that remains constant is the need for a keen eye on the products we choose, particularly when understanding what we're getting for our money.

It seems that even the most seasoned shoppers among us can get tripped up by some 'sneaky' marketing tactics, as some Australian consumers have recently found out at ALDI.


The issue at hand involves a seemingly innocent package of sausages.

A member of the ALDI Fans Australia social media group brought to light a common misunderstanding that has left many shoppers scratching their heads.


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An ALDI shopper highlighted a misunderstanding due to packaging that suggested 12 sausages instead of 7. Credit: Facebook


'So I kept not having enough sausages BECAUSE I thought it was 12 sausages. It's not, it's 7,' the shopper lamented.

The confusion stems from the packaging, which features the number '12' prominently, referring to the cooking time, while the actual quantity of sausages is less conspicuous.

This packaging puzzle has sparked a debate among consumers, with some calling it outright deceptive.


'To me, this is a deliberate act of deceit. It doesn't take 12 minutes to cook those sausages. It's meant to grab your eye, so you assume there's 12 in the pack,' one commenter argued.

Others have taken to humour, with quips like 'Ah, the old should've gone to Specsavers trick,' highlighting the need for careful inspection.

‘At first glimpse, I thought it was 12. Not an eyesight problem, it's how the 12 stands out more than every other word. Sneaky marketing,’ another commented.

Conversely, some defend the marketing strategy as nothing more than clever, if not a little cunning.

'I would have thought there were 12 in there without thinking. Great marketing,' a shopper admitted.


The debate raises the question: where is the line between effective marketing and misleading packaging?

The Kidspot team has weighed in, suggesting that parents, in particular, are susceptible to such packaging tricks.

The hustle and bustle of shopping with children in tow can make it challenging to scrutinise every label.

'I have seen that number plenty of times and assumed. I [won't] sit there and count sausages!' one parent shared.

It's a sentiment echoed by many who rush through the supermarket to avoid meltdowns or to get back to their busy lives.


However, the issue may be less pronounced for those who have embraced the digital age and shifted to online shopping.

Taking a moment and reading product descriptions without the distractions of a physical store can lead to more informed decisions.

'I think it's easier to notice these things when you shop online as I do,' a consumer noted.
Key Takeaways

  • An ALDI shopper highlighted a misunderstanding due to packaging that made her think there were 12 sausages instead of 7.
  • Commenters on social media had mixed reactions, some claiming the packaging was purposefully deceptive, while others argued it's a clever marketing tactic.
  • The Kidspot team suggested that busy parents are more likely to be misled by such packaging, as they often don't have the time to read labels carefully.
  • While some criticised the mistake as careless and encouraged careful reading, others pointed out the design's potential intention to mislead by making the number 12 more prominent than the actual quantity of sausages.
Have you ever been caught out by what you thought was a 'sneaky' marketing tactic? How do you ensure you get exactly what you're looking for when shopping or ordering online? Let us know in the comments below.
 
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Information must be accurate and truthful​

Any information or claim that a business provides about its products or services must be accurate, truthful and based on reasonable grounds.

This includes:

  • Information on prices
  • images and descriptions of what is offered
  • claims about the value, benefits, qualities or performance of products and services
  • shipping options and delivery times.
This rule applies to any communication by a business, including through:

  • advertising
  • product packaging
  • a quotation
  • any information provided by staff, whether verbally or in writing
  • social media
  • testimonials
  • websites or any other platform.
Any statement that creates a false impression about goods and services can be breaking the law.

direct from the ACCC website .....
so, ALDI is breaking the law with their advertising!!!
 

Information must be accurate and truthful​

Any information or claim that a business provides about its products or services must be accurate, truthful and based on reasonable grounds.

This includes:

  • Information on prices
  • images and descriptions of what is offered
  • claims about the value, benefits, qualities or performance of products and services
  • shipping options and delivery times.
This rule applies to any communication by a business, including through:

  • advertising
  • product packaging
  • a quotation
  • any information provided by staff, whether verbally or in writing
  • social media
  • testimonials
  • websites or any other platform.
Any statement that creates a false impression about goods and services can be breaking the law.

direct from the ACCC website .....
so, ALDI is breaking the law with their advertising!!!
How can you blame Aldi. It is the manufacturers fault as they do the packaging
 
So, there is 5 sausages missing out of the packet after customer assumed 12. Really can't see that on picking up the product. Must be on their mobile phone ;)
 
I don’t know what you’re blaming Aldi for doing. Ok, so you miss-read a label so that’s not Aldi’s fault. It’s not like they ripped you off by advertising 12 and then only gave you 7. Again that’s you miss-reading the label.
 
Sausages are a popular product for many, but I was 'distraught' when I found my favourite Aldi soft cheese L'Ovale was absent from the shelves this week and no message about why, so it looks like another good product hit the dust.
 

Information must be accurate and truthful​

Any information or claim that a business provides about its products or services must be accurate, truthful and based on reasonable grounds.

This includes:

  • Information on prices
  • images and descriptions of what is offered
  • claims about the value, benefits, qualities or performance of products and services
  • shipping options and delivery times.
This rule applies to any communication by a business, including through:

  • advertising
  • product packaging
  • a quotation
  • any information provided by staff, whether verbally or in writing
  • social media
  • testimonials
  • websites or any other platform.
Any statement that creates a false impression about goods and services can be breaking the law.

direct from the ACCC website .....
so, ALDI is breaking the law with their advertising!!!
Sorry but I don't see an issue there - without my glasses I can see that it is 12 minutes. If you want to rush around like a headless chook or give in to children's histrionics so fool you.
 
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Again where do these people come from - how have they managed to get through life?
If the size of the tray doesn't tell you that 12 sausages can't fit in, then surely the weight in your hand should. Sneaky, another misused and overused word. How did some people live before unsocial media? That's right, they were probably in nappies!
 

Information must be accurate and truthful​

Any information or claim that a business provides about its products or services must be accurate, truthful and based on reasonable grounds.

This includes:

  • Information on prices
  • images and descriptions of what is offered
  • claims about the value, benefits, qualities or performance of products and services
  • shipping options and delivery times.
This rule applies to any communication by a business, including through:

  • advertising
  • product packaging
  • a quotation
  • any information provided by staff, whether verbally or in writing
  • social media
  • testimonials
  • websites or any other platform.
Any statement that creates a false impression about goods and services can be breaking the law.

direct from the ACCC website .....
so, ALDI is breaking the law with their advertising!!!
How?
 
I'd like to know how too. The packaging CLEARLY states the product takes 12mins to cook.
steve.bryce, you're not doing yourself any favours sponsoring idiots who cannot read. AND claiming Aldi is breaking the law without providing proof. Read the label. Give it a rest. How much more outrage can we bear?
 
the post is about misleading marketing ....
if a label is designed to be misleading, then it is illegal.
customers have stated that they were misled.
therefore, it has already been proven.
 

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