Ad Alert

Wegmans

NAD inquiry prompts changes to grocery store's price comparison signs.

Wegmans, a mid-Atlantic grocery store chain with more than 90 locations in six states, has agreed to scrub the phrase “Don’t shop around town” from sales signs in its stores that compared its prices to Costco’s in response to a recent The National Advertising Division (NAD) is the advertising industry’s self-regulatory body administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus. decision.

NAD said that instructing consumers not to shop around when prices can change at any time isn’t the best advice for customers. It further recommended that Wegmans note on the signs that prices are indeed subject to change. In addition, NAD suggested that Wegmans clearly disclose the date on which the prices were recorded.

Costco challenged Wegmans’ advertising with NAD, arguing that the price comparison signs are deceptive in that Wegmans does not in fact sell the same items for less.

The takeaway? When it comes to grocery shopping, do shop around town instead of taking one store’s word over another that its prices are the best.

Find more of our coverage on pricing issues here.


Our Ad Alerts are not just about false and deceptive marketing issues, but may also be about ads that, although not necessarily deceptive, should be viewed with caution. Ad Alerts can also be about single issues and may not include a comprehensive list of all marketing issues relating to the brand discussed.


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