Lighter side: Grocery chain’s internal memo goes viral

An international grocery chain has accidentally posted an internal memo in a very public place.

Well, this is a little embarrassing.
 
UK grocery chain Sainsbury’s has accidentally placed a private internal marketing memo in a very public place: hanging up in the front window for all customers to see.
 
“Let’s encourage every customer to spend an additional 50p during each shopping trip between now and year-end,” the poster, meant for internal staff only, reads.
 
Eagle-eyed TV freelancer Chris Dodd spotted the poster for the ‘Fifty Pence Challenge’, and posted a photo to Twitter, tagging Sainsbury’s and saying, “Not sure this is supposed to be in your window.”
 
Sainsbury’s attempted to defuse the situation by tweeting back, “Yeah, I don’t think so either. Which store was this? I’ll give them a call. Ross.”
 
The situation quickly gathered steam on social media, with the hashtag #50pChallenge taking off as the poster went viral.
 
Discount supermarket chain Lidl piggybacked off the hype be releasing their own poster, which read, “Let’s encourage every one of our lovely customers to save as many 50ps as possible.”
 
The timing isn’t ideal for Sainsbury’s, which is facing a “perfect storm” of problems, including a recent slump in sales, according to CEO Mike Coupe.
 
“It’s the most challenging I’ve ever seen the market in my 30 years in retail,” Coupe said.
 
You might also like:
Lighter side: Hilarious on-the-job fails 
Lighter side: “F- it, I quit”: TV reporter’s dramatic goodbye 
Lighter side: Graduate channels David Brent 
 
 
 

Recent articles & video

Oranga Tamariki to pay $12,000 for unjust treatment of youth worker

The challenges of cross-cultural code-switching for international doctors in New Zealand

How much are New Zealanders saving by working from home?

Ransomware, extortion cases up by 62% globally in 2023

Most Read Articles

Over 200 employers banned from hiring skilled migrants under AEWV

Fonterra bans EY staff facing misconduct probe: report

Employer tells worker: 'I think it's best we call it quits'