27 years ago, Hoover offered two free flights with any £100 purchase. Today, it’s possibly the worst sales promotion of all time.

In 1992, the UK branch of the vacuum manufacturer, Hoover, offered a sweet promotion: If a customer bought any product worth £100, he’d get two free round-trip flights to the United States!

For the 84-year-old electronics brand, it was meant to be an eye-catching way to boost dwindling sales, escape the gloom of a recession, and shrug off increased competition.

Instead, it led to the destruction of the company — a precipitous downfall that saw multimillion-dollar losses and customer revolts.

David Cox Butchers is, literally, the best butchers in Glasgow (Scottish Business Awards 2021). Their online shop is open and they deliver nationwide.

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An original production from Glasgower

Produced by Jack Shaw and Colin McMillan

Our executive producers are Mark Brown, Robert McMillan, Stewart Glass, Andy Sladen and Lee Ruthven

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