CCPC prosecutes retailer Homesavers for breaking price display laws
November 13, 2024
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has been successful in its legal action against the retail chain Homesavers for failing to obey price display laws.
Homesavers is a large discount group with approximately 50 stores across the country. The CCPC took action against Centz Stores Ltd, which owns the Homesavers brand, following non-payment of fines totalling €600 for the alleged price display offences.
Judge Anthony Halpin applied the Probation Act and ordered Centz Stores to pay €1501 towards the legal costs of the CCPC, and to make a donation of €200 to the charity Little Flower Penny Dinners.
The case follows a routine inspection in May 2023 of the Homesavers store in Ennis, Co. Clare where several pricing violations were identified.
CCPC inspectors found that a significant number of products did not meet pricing display laws, including failure to display or prices displayed in Sterling only. Under EU law, the price of products on sale in Ireland must be displayed clearly in euro. Traders have a duty to ensure their prices are displayed clearly to allow consumers to make informed choices before purchasing.
As a result, the CCPC issued fixed payment notices (fines) totalling €600 in respect of the alleged offences. The CCPC initiated court proceedings for the original offences following the company’s failure to pay these fines.
The CCPC has been calling for more substantial penalties for breaches of consumer protection law for some time. When businesses break competition rules, they can be fined, however different rules apply for those found to have broken consumer protection laws. Changes to the law are needed to give the CCPC the power to impose large fines for serious offences. This will reduce pressure on the courts and save public money while improving compliance with consumer protection law.
CCPC Chair, Brian McHugh, called for additional powers at a recent event to mark the CCPC’s 10th anniversary. CCPC calls for large fines against companies violating consumer law.
The CCPC encourages consumers to check prices when they shop and report any issues to the CCPC helpline on 01 402 5555 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or via our contact us form or email ask@ccpc.ie
For more information on pricing, visit product prices – CCPC Business.
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