The Brief
We were in our local Lidl the other day, and saw a box in the healthcare aisle, sporting the brand name “Eruption”. It was about 4 inches tall, 2 inches wide, 1 inch deep, and had clear shrinkwrap on it. Looked a lot like a box of condoms to us. It got us thinking… is this a case of translation gone awry?
The Loony Letter
Dear Sirs,
Why, oh why, do you sell “Eruption” brand condoms?
How much thought went into the brand name for the product in question? It’s a bit disgusting, isn’t it?
Yours inquisitively,
Bill Bennett
The Reply
Dear Mr. Bennett
Thank you for your letter dated 4th June that we received regarding condoms. After investigating your query we have found out that we don’t have ‘Eruption’ brand condoms in our range. We sell condoms with brand name Mondos.
We welcome all our customers’ views and opinions about our products. We are constantly reviewing our product range to meet the needs of all our customers and we will always endeavour to improve all aspects of our products to achieve greater customer satisfaction.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your custom and we hope that you continue to enjoy our products in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Watkins
Food Assortment Manager
The Review
Indeed, Lidl’s reply is 100% accurate. We made a boo-boo. As you’ll see from the photo below, “Eruption” is actually the brand name of Lidl’s aftershave for men. Still, you can see why we thought it looked like a condom box… and it would have been quite funny :-)
Was it the “20 Thick Pork” beneath the boxes that made you think of condoms?
in the bottom right hand corner of the lidl photograph of the Eruption product there is a yellow shelf ticket that reads ’20 thick pork’…do you know if this is in reference to size, quantity or repetition? ;)
My wife and I had noticed Eruption aftershave some time ago. We decided not to purchase it as the lable may have been a warning that it could cause an outbreak of acne. Besides which it doesn’t smell nice at all.
I am concerned however by a response on the matter of condoms from the food assortment manager which combined with the product placement in the photo has put me right off German sausages.