Belgium: court bans Pearle Vision campaign

Last June 28th the Court of Louvain (Belgium) decided in favor of Apoob (the Belgian association of independent opticians and optometrists) in its legal action brought against Pearle Vision due to a communication campaign claimed to be mendacious and disparaged vis-à-vis its members.

The television commercial and press advertisement campaign maintained that the price of the glasses sold at the chain's outlets was 35% lower than that at traditional stores. The objective was to attract Belgian customers who had become too 'loyal' to independent opticians and to convince them that they paid too much for their glasses.

Apoob took immediate legal action and a few weeks ago the Court decided in its favor and ordered Pearle Vision to withdraw the commercial and the advertisements.

(Source: Acuité)