CCPC launches legal action against retailers for breaking sales pricing laws
New CCPC research indicates less than a third of consumers trust that discounts displayed by businesses are genuine (Photo by Ivan Samkov)
The CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) has launched proceedings against a number of nationwide retailers for breaking sales pricing laws. The retailers are due to appear before the Courts in January 2025.
The prosecutions of these traders, which include retailers active in the electrical, cosmetics, furniture, and clothing and footwear sectors, relate to pricing breaches identified in CCPC online sweeps conducted over the 2023-2024 winter sales season, including Black Friday and January sales.
A number of other traders have been interviewed under caution, and further prosecutions are expected to follow.
Brian McHugh, chairperson, CCPC, said: “The CCPC carried out a large number of sales pricing inspections over the Black Friday and winter sales periods last year, looking at both online and in-store pricing.
“Our inspectors saw many excellent examples of accurate sales pricing and sales communications, however, we also identified retailers where there were significant and widespread breaches of the law. Those traders are now being prosecuted by the CCPC, with the first wave of cases due before the courts in January.”
McHugh noted that misleading sale discounts harm consumers and harm competition.
“Businesses need to be able to compete for consumers openly and honestly on price. This Black Friday, the CCPC is calling on both consumers and business owners to report any suspected fake discounts or misleading pricing to the CCPC.”
As shoppers seek out a bargain in the Black Friday sales today, CCPC consumer protection officers will be inspecting the discounts on offer to Irish consumers to ensure they are genuine.
The CCPC is committed to ensuring compliance with the pricing regulations and to using its powers in the event of non-compliance.
Last week, the CCPC released new research indicating low levels of consumer trust in discounts with less than a third (30%) of consumers trusting that discounts displayed by businesses are genuine.
Complaints are a valuable source of information to the CCPC as they help identify sectors where consumers may be at risk.
Traders and consumers are encouraged to notify the CCPC of fake discounts on using the reporting form on ccpc.ie, by contacting the CCPC helpline on 01 402 5555 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or by emailing ask@ccpc.ie.
