Tesco Christmas ad delivery driver criticism, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): Tesco delivery drivers have criticized the supermarket giant’s Christmas advert, saying it shows “everything we are specifically forbidden from doing in one short clip.”
The advert stars Roisin Conaty as Tesco delivery driver Polly and Anna Maxwell Martin as her old school friend Lizzie. In the ad, Polly helps Lizzie after she accidentally orders her Christmas food shop to her old address hundreds of miles from her new home.
Polly agrees to meet Lizzie halfway to ensure her family does not miss out on its festive treats. She then gives Lizzie a lift home when her car breaks down, and the pair share memories from their school days.
Despite the ad being designed to bring festive cheer, some Tesco delivery drivers reacted negatively on Reddit, suggesting the driver’s behavior would be a sackable offence. Drivers listed several alleged breaches, including using a personal phone to contact a customer, not delivering to the listed address, giving a customer a lift in the passenger seat, and not wearing a high-visibility vest while driving.
Several drivers also questioned the fate of Polly’s other deliveries. One posted that the clip “cuts off before the part where you see the family who didn’t get their food order.” Another wrote that “all acts individually would lead to the driver’s job being terminated for gross misconduct.”
A Tesco spokesman said the ad “aimed to capture the magic of Christmas and employ a bit of creative licence to allow the storytelling to be as impactful as possible.” He added that in real life, delivery drivers play an essential part in helping the UK with its Christmas shopping and that the safety of colleagues and customers will always come first.
“We provide clear guidelines to all of our colleagues on how to fulfil their roles, and if a customer does need help with an online order our customer services team will be happy to help,” the spokesman said.
Separately, Tesco has confirmed the return of its Christmas markets across 164 stores, offering food and drink samples. The pop-up markets launched on November 7 and will run until December 18 at selected Tesco Extra and Superstore locations, with stalls based in store car parks.
Participating brands include Cadbury, Tassimo, Pepsi, Lurpak and McCain.
The activity also includes goodie bags, with shoppers reporting they received treats after buying two or more participating products. Tesco is supporting the markets with an Instagram competition using #HelpingYouBecomeMoreChristmas for a chance to win a £250 gift card.
The markets’ return follows the launch of Tesco’s Christmas advertising campaign on November 1. Created with BBH London, “The Wrong Address” centers on a Tesco delivery that reunites two old friends.
The wider campaign also includes the return of Santa’s Grotto at stores nationwide.
