National Advertising Division Recommends Lidl Modify or Discontinue Certain Price Comparison Claims
Following a challenge from Ahold Delhaize USA, BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended that Lidl US, LLC discontinue or modify certain grocery price comparison and “exact same basket” comparison claims.
New York, NY, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a challenge from Ahold Delhaize USA, BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended that Lidl US, LLC discontinue or modify certain grocery price comparison and “exact same basket” comparison claims.
Ahold and Lidl are grocery retailers. At issue for the National Advertising Division (NAD) were comparative savings claims in print and online advertising, including claims of 25–30% savings and statements that consumers could save specific dollar amounts when shopping at Lidl instead of Ahold’s local grocery brands, including Food Lion, Stop & Shop, and Giant Food.
Stale Pricing Claims
At issue for NAD was whether Lidl’s price comparison claims of 25 – 30% savings or savings of a specific dollar amount were stale because the ads ran weeks or months after the comparisons were made. Because the evidence indicates that prices for at least some of the items had changed by the time the advertisements ran and that Ahold updates its prices weekly, NAD determined that seven days is a reasonable period of time for price comparison claims.
NAD found that Lidl’s disclosure of the date of comparison that appeared in the advertising was not sufficient to dispel the message that consumers could presently save 30% when shopping at Lidl. NAD also found that the disclosure was not always present and was sometimes in a small font and hard to read.
Therefore, NAD recommended that Lidl discontinue the challenged price comparison claims unless the substantiation is based on price checks within seven days of the comparative advertising and accompanied by a clear and conspicuous disclosure of the basis and date of the comparison.
Sale Pricing Claims
NAD also examined Lidl’s comparative pricing claims, which did not account for the discounted prices offered through Ahold’s free loyalty programs. The record showed that the majority of Ahold’s customers receive discounted prices under these programs, and even nonmembers regularly obtain the discounted prices in-store.
NAD concluded that the fact that Lidl’s comparisons did not take loyalty discounts into account is material information that should be disclosed to reduce ambiguity and prevent consumer confusion. Therefore, NAD recommended that Lidl disclose whether the comparison is to the base price or to the discounted loyalty price.
Exact Same Basket Comparison Claims
NAD also examined Lidl’s claims that consumers could save on the “exact same basket.” NAD found that the phrase “exact same basket” expressly communicates that the items being compared are more than merely similar - they are the exact same - and determined consumers would not expect the “exact same” basket to contain items of different brands, quantities, or other material characteristics.
Therefore, NAD recommended that Lidl discontinue its “exact same basket” claims.
In its advertiser statement, Lidl stated they would “implement the National Advertising Division’s recommendations in this matter on a going forward basis as part of the voluntary self-regulatory process.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive. Per NAD/NARB Procedures, this release may not be used for promotional purposes.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than 20 globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create fair competition for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and create fair competition for business.
Name: Jennifer Rosenberg Email: press@bbbnp.org Job Title: media relations
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