Coles faces backlash for their latest 'tone deaf' advertisement
By
VanessaC
- Replies 7
As many continue to struggle with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the skyrocketing prices of many everyday supermarket products, one would think supermarkets would be more understanding of the difficult times we are in…
Coles has recently released a new television advertisement that has been branded as 'tone deaf' by many viewers.
The 30-second video, part of the 'Hands Down' campaign, is reportedly an overly enthusiastic take on grocery shopping, and frustrations with the supermarket giant have only grown since the advertisement aired.
The clip begins with a voiceover encouraging viewers to take advantage of the 'great value hands-down at Coles', and as it nears its conclusion, the upbeat commentary implies that life is rosy over in the land of the big red hand.
'Australia, we've never been more excited,' a voiceover said announcing its 'Hands Down' campaign.
'Whenever you see the big red hand at Coles, it means you're getting great value hands-down. Down and staying down for three months. If you're down for more value, Australia, there's great value hands-down at Coles.'
Now, while some appreciate that Coles is focused on providing value to their customers, many see the advertisement as hypocritical.
In response to the video, many took to social media to voice their frustrations, with one commenting: 'Prices going up every week.'
'Australia needs more competition,' another said.
While a third added: 'Your specials are still more expensive than the standard price from a year ago. Explain that!'
'How much did you make this year? Maybe stop dancing around and give some serious savings to the people who are really doing it tough,' a fourth viewer said.
'How are prices down when you’re actively price gouging and worsening the cost of living crisis within Australia?' a fifth asked.
Coles defended their campaign by saying they are dedicated to combatting the cost of living pressures Aussies are currently facing.
'We believe all Australians should be able to put quality food on the table for their families, at a good price,' Coles posted on social media.
'That is what we are focused on at Coles, particularly as they face high cost of living with rising interest rates and household expenses like energy and fuel.'
'A profitable business puts us in a position to invest in value like our Great Value Hands Down campaign and put thousands of products on special each week. It also helps us invest in our Flybuys program for our customers to save and have confidence they can buy good food in our supermarkets.'
Consumer expert Joel Gibson noted that this is not the first time a corporation has failed to read the pain Aussies are facing, saying: 'This ad is just the latest example. Qantas is obviously copping it left, right and centre in recent weeks for announcing record profits at a time when airfares are through the roof, and people can't afford to take a holiday.'
'But even before the focus shifted to Qantas, there was quite a bit of anger about Coles and Woolies and about big insurance groups and energy retailers announcing their profits that were up sometimes five or 10 per cent on last year, at the same time as they're increasing our prices by 10 per cent or 20.'
'So I think Coles has dropped its new campaign into the middle of this seething pit of discontent and they shouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of blowback because people are really struggling, and they feel like businesses just don't get it.'
However, he also said it’s a move in the right direction.
'I actually think the Coles campaign is positive in some ways because the fact that they're prepared to talk about discounting again, even though it's very selected discounting, actually shows that [their] modelling says prices are coming back to us,' Mr Gibson explained.
'So if grocery inflation was still at 10 per cent, then Coles wouldn't be launching a campaign like this.'
'So I think, you know, consumers can take some positive signs from it.'
You can watch Coles' new advertisement below:
What do you think about Coles' new advertisement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Coles has recently released a new television advertisement that has been branded as 'tone deaf' by many viewers.
The 30-second video, part of the 'Hands Down' campaign, is reportedly an overly enthusiastic take on grocery shopping, and frustrations with the supermarket giant have only grown since the advertisement aired.
The clip begins with a voiceover encouraging viewers to take advantage of the 'great value hands-down at Coles', and as it nears its conclusion, the upbeat commentary implies that life is rosy over in the land of the big red hand.
'Australia, we've never been more excited,' a voiceover said announcing its 'Hands Down' campaign.
'Whenever you see the big red hand at Coles, it means you're getting great value hands-down. Down and staying down for three months. If you're down for more value, Australia, there's great value hands-down at Coles.'
Now, while some appreciate that Coles is focused on providing value to their customers, many see the advertisement as hypocritical.
In response to the video, many took to social media to voice their frustrations, with one commenting: 'Prices going up every week.'
'Australia needs more competition,' another said.
While a third added: 'Your specials are still more expensive than the standard price from a year ago. Explain that!'
'How much did you make this year? Maybe stop dancing around and give some serious savings to the people who are really doing it tough,' a fourth viewer said.
'How are prices down when you’re actively price gouging and worsening the cost of living crisis within Australia?' a fifth asked.
Coles defended their campaign by saying they are dedicated to combatting the cost of living pressures Aussies are currently facing.
'We believe all Australians should be able to put quality food on the table for their families, at a good price,' Coles posted on social media.
'That is what we are focused on at Coles, particularly as they face high cost of living with rising interest rates and household expenses like energy and fuel.'
'A profitable business puts us in a position to invest in value like our Great Value Hands Down campaign and put thousands of products on special each week. It also helps us invest in our Flybuys program for our customers to save and have confidence they can buy good food in our supermarkets.'
Consumer expert Joel Gibson noted that this is not the first time a corporation has failed to read the pain Aussies are facing, saying: 'This ad is just the latest example. Qantas is obviously copping it left, right and centre in recent weeks for announcing record profits at a time when airfares are through the roof, and people can't afford to take a holiday.'
'But even before the focus shifted to Qantas, there was quite a bit of anger about Coles and Woolies and about big insurance groups and energy retailers announcing their profits that were up sometimes five or 10 per cent on last year, at the same time as they're increasing our prices by 10 per cent or 20.'
'So I think Coles has dropped its new campaign into the middle of this seething pit of discontent and they shouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of blowback because people are really struggling, and they feel like businesses just don't get it.'
However, he also said it’s a move in the right direction.
'I actually think the Coles campaign is positive in some ways because the fact that they're prepared to talk about discounting again, even though it's very selected discounting, actually shows that [their] modelling says prices are coming back to us,' Mr Gibson explained.
'So if grocery inflation was still at 10 per cent, then Coles wouldn't be launching a campaign like this.'
'So I think, you know, consumers can take some positive signs from it.'
You can watch Coles' new advertisement below:
Key Takeaways
- Coles' new television advertisement, announcing the 'Hands Down' campaign, has received a barrage of criticism for being 'tone-deaf' to the current cost-of-living crisis in Australia.
- Many frustrated customers have called out the supermarket giant for perceived hypocrisy, with some noting rising grocery prices despite the advertisement's claims of offering great value.
- In response to these criticisms, Coles says it's focused on combating cost of living pressures and that its profitable business allows it to invest in value campaigns and its Flybuys program.
- Consumer expert Joel Gibson notes that big corporations continue to misread the pressures faced by households but also acknowledges that the new Coles campaign is positive in some ways as it suggests prices may start to reduce.