John Lewis pulls ‘potentially misleading’ insurance ad

John Lewis has axed its controversial dwelling insurance coverage Television advertisement that exhibits a boy trashing a residence right after it was slapped on the wrists by the money watchdog. 

The retailer withdrew the campaign, which ran for just in excess of a fortnight before this thirty day period, right after the Economic Carry out Authority mentioned the advertisement was “potentially misleading” and “could bring about confusion about John Lewis’ new dwelling contents insurance coverage offering”. 

An FCA spokesman mentioned: “Economic companies firms’ marketing ought to be obvious, truthful and not misleading.”

John Lewis mentioned that was “absolutely under no circumstances our intention”. 

The sixty-next advertisement featured a boy dancing all around and damaging his dwelling through an episode of rigorous self-expression.

It sparked a flurry of discussion all around stereotypes and sexism – the boy is sporting a costume and heels – and no matter whether claims adhering to this sort of destruction in authentic lifestyle would be paid out.

John Lewis was compelled to explain that the coverage only coated accidental and not deliberate destruction. 

The division retail outlet chain mentioned it had contacted every single customer who purchased the new coverage considering that Oct eleven to validate they were being joyful with the conditions and comprehended them. 

“We would like to explain that accidental destruction deal with is out there as an increase-on to John Lewis’s new dwelling contents insurance coverage product and only handles accidental (not deliberate) destruction,” it mentioned. 

Steve Dresser, a retail specialist, called it “an additional catastrophe” for John Lewis.