Wowcher's profits drop after pressure selling tactics refund

WOWCHER has seen a significant cut in its profits following a major victory by the UK's competition watchdog.

- JON ROBINSON

The London-based firm pledged to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in July of the previous year that it would alter its online selling practices and distribute more than £4m in refunds among 870,000 customers. This commitment followed the watchdog's launch of an investigation in 2023 due to concerns that Wowcher's countdown timers and marketing claims - such as “Running out!” and “In high demand!” - could potentially create a false sense of urgency, influencing consumers' purchasing decisions.