Publications
Partners
Twitter and Facebook users are blasting Checkers after a picture was shared by a customer showing an in store Mother's Day display.
The picture circulating on social media shows a the store's 'Gifts to WOW MOM' display stocked with, wait for it, cleaning supplies.
Needless to say many people found the display confusing, demeaning and definitely not in the spirit of Mother's Day.
READ MORE: 10 beauty and skincare gifts to shop for Mother's Day
Someone thought this was a good idea? @CindyPoluta @702tshego pic.twitter.com/loI0EmFsRW
— Bongani Bingwa - Broadcast Journalist (@bonglez) May 9, 2018
?????? Checkers has no respect! Is Mom meant to be spring cleaning on Mothers Day? pic.twitter.com/03TvYlvE3Q
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) May 8, 2018
Was this just a marketing stunt?
Having a lot of advertising experience, I can tell that this is a marketing stunt. We sharing & debating about this mothers' day display at Checkers and those select brands are getting much exposure,I wont be surprised if there's a deal between those brands and Checkers. pic.twitter.com/9EuXvOBp3X
— Eno (@valoyee) May 9, 2018
The supermarket, which falls under Shoprite Holdings Ltd, was quick to respond to the allegation that they had deliberately placed cleaning supplies on the display, and released a statement on its website.
READ MORE: OUR GUIDE: What to get your stylish mom for Mother’s Day
The statement reads that the Mother’s Day photo that went viral on social media was taken at the Checkers Van Der Lingen store in Paarl. The statement claims that it was taken while the store was in the process of moving a Mother’s Day display from the back to the front of the store.
"The merchandise was moved and the posters were only moved afterwards."
The store also posted pictures of what the display looked like after it was completed.
The company further acknowledged how the first picture may have been misconstrued and apologised for that. It further added "It was never our intention to put up a Mother’s Day display consisting of cleaning products."
READ MORE: Top tips for dad this Mother's day
Although many Twitter users jumped on the bandwagon of the first photo's backlash, some Twitter users didn't believe that Checkers would purposefully put up such a display.
Did it ever occur to the person who took that picture at Checkers that maybe they didn't finish setup the display? Or they just wanted to be famous on Social Media while causing abuse for the franchise.
— Amith Gosai (@AMG133) May 8, 2018
Some users simply found humour in the display and suggested that Checkers do a similar display for Father's Day.
Hey Checkers please can you put this display up for Father’s Day too! Because my rubbish-at-cooking dad does loads of washing up ????
— Sammi Hallowes (@bearsammiyogi) May 8, 2018
Can’t wait to treat him to a special bottle of dishwashing liquid @bhallowes ??
Sign up to W24’s newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our hot stories and giveaways.
