Watchdog reprimands Littlewoods over advert for credit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mail-order firm Littlewoods has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for encouraging debt among young women.
The watchdog was angered by a cartoon ad in mailouts for Littlewoods Shop Direct Financial Services, which depicted a young female character mulling over buying a new dress on credit. Messages contained in the cartoon included "hot dates won't wait till pay day" and "by the time you can afford that sexy new outfit, Mr Right, or Mr Right Now, could be long gone". Eventually, the woman buys the dress using Littlewoods credit.
The ASA said this encouraged shoppers to make "aspirational" purchases on credit and could lead to young women, in particular, building up debt.
In response, Littlewoods said the advert did not contravene consumer laws, was sent only to people over the age of 18, and clearly displayed the interest rate. The retailer offered assurance that applicants for credit would be assessed for their ability to keep up repayments.
This is not the first time the ASA has expressed concerns about how debt is portrayed in publicity. Last October, Picture Loans had to amend a TV advert after the watchdog said that, in its original form, the ad had taken too light-hearted an approach to loan consolidation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments