In response to threats from the right-wing radical pressure group “Christian Voice”, Sainsbury’s and Woolworth’s have decided not to stock the DVD of “Jerry Springer The Opera”. According to Haringey MP Lynne Featherstone, the supermarkets decided not to stock the DVD after only ten letters of complaint.
I’ve decided to do absolutely none of my Xmas shopping at either of these shops. They claim that the most important factor in deciding what to stock is “What customers want”. They have incorrectly inferred from the desire of ten Christian Voice members that their customers would be offended to see this product on their shelves. Ironically, more people in the UK have seen and enjoyed “Jerry Springer the Opera” than are members of that pressure group.
The real sadness is not that a bunch of high-street shops refused to stock an interesting, artistic home-grown title but that these shops cannot accept the responsibility that goes with being a cultural outlet. They sell media and art much like they would sell a cabbage or a pack of cigarettes. It’s merely another product on the shelf, and if people shout loud or long enough they will take the product off the shelf.
From: customerservice@sainsburys.co.uk
Subject: Other Questions
Dear Randi,
Thank you for contacting us. I am concerned to hear you are unhappy with our decision to no longer sell Jerry Springer, the Opera DVD’s in our stores. I can understand how disappointed you must feel and I hope you will accept my sincere apologies.
Our entertainment range is particularly important at Christmas and we take many factors into consideration when deciding which titles to stock. Ultimately, the most important factor is what our customers want. In response to some to some of the feedback we have received, we have decided not to sell the Jerry Springer DVD’s this Christmas.
I have passed your comments onto our marketing department. I would like to assure you they have taken your comments seriously and will bear them in mind for the future.
Once again thank you for contacting us. I hope that despite your disappointment you will continue to shop at Sainsbury’s in the future. May I take this opportunity to wish you merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Kind regards,
Sarah Rose
Sainsbury’s Customer Services
[THREAD ID:1-2AIOVI]
—–Original Message—–
From: xxxxx@stodge.org
Sent: 06.12.2005 01:19:45 PM
To:
Subject: Other Questions
The following comments have been made:
Full Name: Randi Mooney
Email: xxx@stodge.org
Subject: Christian Voice and Jerry Springer: The Opera on D
Comments:
In a typical week I spend £120 pounds on groceries from your Harringey supermarket.
For the entire Xmas period, I intend to shop at elsewhere. I am taking this action because of your refusal to stock the DVD “Jerry Springer the Opera” in response to pressure from a minority group calling themselves “Christian Voice”
I think your firm has been somewhat spineless to give in to unreasonable demands from a radically religious minority group.
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