Tesco ‘disappointed’ as it loses appeal against Lidl logo ruling
Molly InnesTesco will need to change its Clubcard Prices logo in the coming weeks as it loses its appeal against last year’s ruling, which found it had infringed on Lidl’s trademark.
Tesco will need to change its Clubcard Prices logo in the coming weeks as it loses its appeal against last year’s ruling, which found it had infringed on Lidl’s trademark.
The UK’s two major discounters reported significant success over the festive period, with a focus on both pricing and product having driven sales.
It could cost Tesco £8m to remove its Clubcard prices marketing assets, following the supermarket’s second loss against Lidl at the High Court in its long-standing trademark dispute.
Has Lidl scored an own goal in its victory over Tesco, or does this signify a change in how brands and retailers market themselves?
Following a legal battle between the two retailers, the High Court has ruled Tesco copied Lidl’s logo to “deceive” customers.
Data shared exclusively with Marketing Week shows Aldi and Lidl are increasing their TV advertising investment well ahead of their competitors, as the discounters continue to notch up market share gains.
The trade down to own label “shows little sign of stopping”, according to Kantar’s latest data, with Aldi and Lidl also continuing to steal market share.
Supermarkets have reported strong Christmas results despite economic headwinds, but analysts say for the traditional grocers, this good fortune is unlikely to last.
Lidl GB’s marketing director Claire Farrant says the Lidl Bear “stands apart” from other Christmas characters because of its “hilarious, deadpan expression”.
Peter De Roos will join Lidl GB in April from Lidl Netherlands, where he is currently director of purchase and marketing.
After posting strong Christmas trading results this week, the UK’s major supermarkets are pledging to keep their prices low this year even in the face of dramatically rising costs, driven by inflation, higher wages and the cost of living crisis.
From grocery minnow with a perception problem to stealing chunks of market share from the ‘big four’, Lidl flipped the script in 2013 by ditching its established leaflet marketing strategy in favour of long-term creative idea ‘Lidl Surprises’.
The festive campaign sits within the supermarket’s ‘Big On’ creative framework, which aims to make Lidl as famous for quality as it is for price.
Rather than getting caught up in an “unrealistic” vision of Christmas, Lidl hopes its twin message of value and quality will resonate with consumers in search of a good time.
After brands’ more ‘real’, product-focused approach to Christmas last year they have switched back to emotional advertising; but there are as many winners as losers in the brand-building game.