A discount teddy deal was abandoned this week after thousands of shoppers were left queueing for up to eight hours amid chaotic scenes. Do you go mad for special offers?
The Build-a-Bear Workshop caused pandemonium on UK high streets on Thursday, telling shoppers they could buy a teddy bear, which can normally cost up to £52, for the price of their child’s age.
Queues of up to a mile long were reported outside some outlets, some closed prematurely due to the massive demand and the police were even called to one shop in Leeds.
A shopper in Leeds, Paul Shaw, told the BBC he saw “crazy scenes at the White Rose – Build-A-Bear is in chaos.” Continuing:
“Queuing from the store, all the way outside, approximately five-hour queue. There are even police here trying to keep the peace.”
The promotion was so popular that the company had to release a public statement asking customers to avoid making a trip to their shops. “The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations… and we cannot accept additional guests,” the company said.
NEWS: A police officer is helping deal with the queue after huge numbers gathered outside @buildabear in the @whiteroseleeds. More @BBCLeeds @BBCLookNorth @jonnymcguigan pic.twitter.com/bgI2GCNUcl
— Charles Heslett (@CharlesHeslett) July 12, 2018
Outrageous offers
It’s not been long since similarly chaotic scenes gripped French supermarkets when Nutella announced a 70% discount on its chocolate spread.
The shopping frenzy in January, branded the ‘Nutella riots’ by some, saw the product’s price slashed from €4.50 to €1.40 – and led to violence in some supermarkets as shoppers jostled to get their hands on the spread.
The recent “Nutella riots” in France are not the first time that demand for the chocolatey spread has caused violence https://t.co/D6xiIyf3lR pic.twitter.com/eQGdqTnvKA
— CNN (@CNN) January 26, 2018
And not to forget Black Friday in the UK, which has often in the past descended into fighting over greatly discounted products.
Given they often lead to frenzied over-demand while supply is limited – hence the massive queues and sometimes violence – are these types of super-discounts fair on consumers?
Do you feel companies should do more to consider the implications of mass queuing when it comes to heavily discounted offers? Have you ever been swept up in promotional pandemonium?
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