Tesco has apologised after a promotional stand advertising a chance to meet the England women's football team was put up at a store in Cardiff. Customers were shocked to see a Lucozade display featuring the Lionesses front and centre of the store's entrance at Western Avenue, just weeks before Wales face England at Euro 2025 in Switzerland. The chief executive of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), Noel Mooney, was among those who voiced their anger on social media, saying "we are Cymru". Tesco said it had since removed the display from the store, and wished both the Welsh and English teams good luck in the tournament. One shopper described it as "deeply offensive" and called on Tesco to "read the room" as Wales women prepare for their first appearance at a major tournament. "I genuinely don't understand how this happens. Surely someone somewhere would have thought it was a bad idea," they said. "Do you have these up in Scotland too?" Another user said it was "disgraceful", adding: "Must be lovely for our Welsh women footballers, walking in Tesco and seeing the England women's team." In a statement, Tesco said the display was "incorrectly" put up in the store. "Many of our colleagues and customers will be supporting their home nations in the tournament," it added.
Tesco apologises for Lionesses promo in Welsh shop
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"Tesco Issues Apology for England Women's Team Promotion in Cardiff Store"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Tesco has publicly apologized after a promotional display featuring the England women's football team, known as the Lionesses, was mistakenly set up in a Cardiff store. The display, which prominently featured Lucozade branding, was positioned at the entrance of the Western Avenue store just weeks before the highly anticipated Euro 2025 match between Wales and England. The promotional material sparked outrage among customers, particularly given the context of the upcoming tournament where the Welsh women's team will be competing. Noel Mooney, the chief executive of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), expressed his displeasure on social media, emphasizing the importance of Welsh identity with his remark, "we are Cymru." Shoppers voiced their discontent, with one describing the display as "deeply offensive" and questioning how such a decision could be made without considering the local sentiment and the significance of the event for Welsh footballers.
In response to the backlash, Tesco swiftly removed the promotional stand and extended good wishes to both the Welsh and English teams ahead of the tournament. The incident highlighted the sensitivity required in marketing, especially in regions with strong national identities like Wales. The display's positioning in a store located in Wales, where the women's team is preparing for its first major tournament appearance, led to calls for better awareness from retailers. Customers expressed their frustration with comments such as, "Do you have these up in Scotland too?" and labeled the situation as "disgraceful." Tesco acknowledged that the display was put up incorrectly and reiterated that many of their employees and customers would be rooting for their respective national teams during the competition. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for brands to be culturally sensitive and considerate of local sentiments in their promotional efforts.
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