Dozens of loyal shoppers have come forward to support frozen ready meals retailer Cook in its row over own label with rival Marks and Spencer.
As revealed in The Grocer last week, Cook claims the packaging and wording of M&S’s Cook! own label brand is so similar to its own range that it is causing customers to believe the retailer is supplying M&S with products (The Grocer, January 21, p5).
James Perry, MD of Cook, said since he had decided to write about the problem on the company’s web site and Cook Report newsletter, he had received more than 100 e-mails from customers. He now plans to send the e-mails to M&S to highlight the confusion.
The e-mails, seen by The Grocer, contain complaints from Cook customers who claim to have been confused by M&S’s Cook! range. One wrote: “I do not often shop for food at M&S but did just prior to Christmas. When I saw a range of Cook! food I immediately thought you had won a large contract. Now I know this not to be true. I am sure many other customers must be confused in the same way I was.”
Another customer wrote: “We agree that M&S’ use of the brand name Cook! is confusing and if they persist in playing hardball over this issue we will boycott their ready meals range.”
Perry said: “We are hopeful M&S might take the responsible approach and work with us to ensure we can both sell our food without confusing customers.”
A spokeswoman for M&S said: “We would not want to comment until we have seen the e-mails.”
Beth Brooks
As revealed in The Grocer last week, Cook claims the packaging and wording of M&S’s Cook! own label brand is so similar to its own range that it is causing customers to believe the retailer is supplying M&S with products (The Grocer, January 21, p5).
James Perry, MD of Cook, said since he had decided to write about the problem on the company’s web site and Cook Report newsletter, he had received more than 100 e-mails from customers. He now plans to send the e-mails to M&S to highlight the confusion.
The e-mails, seen by The Grocer, contain complaints from Cook customers who claim to have been confused by M&S’s Cook! range. One wrote: “I do not often shop for food at M&S but did just prior to Christmas. When I saw a range of Cook! food I immediately thought you had won a large contract. Now I know this not to be true. I am sure many other customers must be confused in the same way I was.”
Another customer wrote: “We agree that M&S’ use of the brand name Cook! is confusing and if they persist in playing hardball over this issue we will boycott their ready meals range.”
Perry said: “We are hopeful M&S might take the responsible approach and work with us to ensure we can both sell our food without confusing customers.”
A spokeswoman for M&S said: “We would not want to comment until we have seen the e-mails.”
Beth Brooks
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