Mother accuses supermarket giant Aldi of copying the pram cover she created to protect children from sunburn - and claims even the advert's wording is similar to her own
- Cara Sayer, 47, from Surrey, accused Aldi of 'copying' her with their SunShade
- The product shares similarities with her 'unique' SnoozeShade cover shade
- Launched her version nine years ago, while Aldi's version goes on sale tomorrow
A mother and successful entrepreneur has accused supermarket giant Aldi of copying a sunburn screen she invented to protect children from the sun.
Cara Sayer, 47, from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey created the SnoozeShade nine years ago, with the product attaching to prams to give youngsters protection from the sun.
The mother-of-one was furious when she realised Aldi are selling a very similar device for half the price and took to social media to take Aldi to task.
Aldi's new sun shade goes on sale from Thursday at £9.99 - £10 cheaper than the trademarked SnoozeShade product she created.
Cara Sayer, a mother and entrepreneur, created the SnoozeShade in 2010 following the birth of her daughter. She accused Aldi of 'copying' her ideas
Cara came up with the SnoozeShade nine years ago following the birth of her now nine-year-old daughter, Holly.
Cara posted on Twitter about the copycat product, and said: 'So @AldiUK has copied my product. Even down to using my words!
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'I'm devastated as a loyal Aldi customer that this has been done. My product is a world first. It's unique. You cannot make the same quality as mine for £10! This is a photo of both. Let's play spot the difference.'
An Aldi spokesperson said: 'Like many other similar products on the market our Mamia Stroller Sun Shade helps keep little ones safe and comfortable out of the sun.'
Cara took to Twitter to accuse the supermarket chain of 'copying' her product, and pointed to similarities between the two products on Twitter
Cara posted the pictures of both adverts for the products on her Twitter account - showing just how similar they were.
The description of the product online from Aldi reveals how the sun shade can protect the child from sun, wind, chill and rain.
These four elements are within the wordings mentioned to describe the SnoozeShade brand's many items - wording Cara says she worked hard to come up with during invention.
Speaking today, Cara said: 'A customer messaged me with a picture of the Aldi product and I was shocked.'
Cara was left 'shocked' by the release of the SunShade by Aldi, which she says is very similar to her product the SnoozeShade
The mother and entrepreneur also pointed to similar wording between her own product and the German supermarkets. She uses the description 'protection from sun, wind, chill, light rain and insects
Meanwhile the German retailer uses a similar phrase 'protects from sun, wind, chill and rain' and calls the protect 'a sun shade'
'They've minimally changed it but they have used my icons and my words on the packaging. I'm going to speak to lawyers and find out my legal rights before contacting Aldi.
'I don't know yet whether I can get them to admit they are wrong or take it off sale. I'm only a one-woman band.'
Cara revealed she has pre-ordered the Aldi sun shade so she can investigate for herself how similar the products are.
The entrepreneur has concerns over the safety of their product however.
The sun screens have similarities in their design, as well as their dark colour and neon tie detailing and zip
Cara says she has spent 'tens of thousands of pounds' on ensuring the safety of her product, which she invented nine years ago
Meanwhile Aldi's product, which Cara called 'a blatent copy' is half the price of Cara's. She says she's concerned about the safety of the supermarket's product
She said: 'I have invested tens of thousands of pounds getting my products safety tested and making sure a newborn can use it. I even had a material made just for me. I very much doubt Aldi have taken the same steps.
'My other concern is I don't want people thinking this is my product. I'm very proud of what I have achieved and this is upsetting. Other products like mine have been an 'ode to' rather than a blatant copy.'
SnoozeShade was launched by Cara in March 2010 after finding it 'ridiculous' that mums needed blankets or cardigans to cover prams when required.
The Aldi Stroller Sun Shade goes on sale tomorrow, and is just £9.99, but Cara feels it's too similar to her product
Her fabric is made from 'a lovely soft mesh which allows air to flow easily and the idea is to use it when baby is asleep so they shouldn't be feeling cut off they should be asleep'.
'When awake they can see out as normal but protected from UV.'
This is not the first time Aldi have been challenged over their lookalike products.
Last year, family businesses such as The Collective and Heck claimed the German retailer were ripping off their gourmet yoghurt and chicken sausage products respectively.
