Failure to Honour Promotional Offer – “Collect Nutrifresh Free”

Formal Complaint: Spar(Erica) Failure to Honor Promotional Offer – “Collect Nutrifresh Free”

I am lodging a formal complaint regarding Spar’s failure to honor the “Collect Nutrifresh Free” promotional offer, which was advertised to consumers on the basis that one sticker would be issued for every R100 spent and that collected stickers could be redeemed for free Nutrifresh items.

I comp**** fully with the terms of the promotion and attempted to redeem my stickers within the promotional period. At the time of redemption, I was informed by the cashier/supervisor that the store had no stock available and that I should return in January 2026.

As of 5 February 2026, the promised promotional stock is still unavailable. This failure constitutes a clear breach of the promotion’s terms and conditions. The promotion officially ended on 7 December 2025, yet Spar has failed to ensure reasonable availability of the advertised promotional items during and after the redemption period.

In terms of the Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008, specifically sections relating to:

False, misleading, or deceptive representations, and

Bait marketing and failure to supply advertised goods,

A supplier may not promote goods or benefits without ensuring that such goods or benefits are reasonably available to consumers who qualify for them. Consumers who act in good faith on a promotional offer are entitled to receive what was advertised or a reasonable substitute.

Despite contacting Spar Head Office, I have received no response to date. The lack of feedback and absence of corrective action is unreasonable and unacceptable.

I hereby request immediate resolution of this matter. Spar must either:

1. Supply the Nutrifresh promotional item as advertised, or

2. Provide a reasonable alternative or appropriate compensation in line with the Consumer Protection Act.

Should this matter remain unresolved, I will have no option but to escalate the complaint to the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud and/or the National Consumer Commission for further investigation.

I expect written feedback within a reasonable timeframe. Ms. JJames