Promotions are organized on new terms so that they are no longer misleading. But – as Wednesday’s “Rzeczpospolita” writes – it didn’t quite work out, and companies are looking for a way to circumvent these rules. The first complaints were sent to the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection.
From January 1, 2023, the provisions of the EU Omnibus Directive came into force, which assumes greater transparency of purchases. As Rzeczpospolita writes, the most emotions among sellers were aroused by the new obligation to provide not only the price before and after the discount, but also the lowest price in the last 30 days.
UOKiK received the first complaints
The newspaper indicates that it supervises compliance with the new rules the office of Competition and Consumer Protectionalready received the first complaints.
“We receive the first signals from consumers regarding the incorrect display of price reductions. We also monitor the market ourselves and check whether and how entrepreneurs have adapted to the new regulations” – informs the UOKiK press office, quoted by the daily.
“We can see that not everyone correctly applies the applicable law. Together with the Trade Inspection, we will ensure that the law in this area is observed to the benefit of consumers. We will inform about the details next week” – add representatives of the office.
Rzeczpospolita explains that the Trade Inspection may impose up to PLN 20,000 for violations of the Act. PLN fine, but if the entrepreneur continues to break the law within a year from the first offense, the fine may increase to PLN 40,000. zloty. “If the case concerns an unfair market practice, the inspection will be carried out by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. Here, the fines may reach as much as 10 percent of the company’s annual turnover” – we read.
The price is not that attractive. Surprise on the web
From the first day of this year, the social media was full of information about promotions of chains selling electronics – because it often turned out that the promotion was not that attractive, and within a month the product had significantly lower prices.
According to unofficial information from Rzeczpospolita, many companies have started work on formulating promotional offers in such a way that the new law does not cover them. “Therefore, we can expect greater creativity in the near future – and the act gives such opportunities. There is no obligation to provide the lowest price before the reduction, if no promotion or sale is announced, and the entrepreneur simply lowers the regular price. Similarly, slogans promoting sales offers by the best possible , the lowest prices and bundled offers, such as multi-pieces, are not subject to the new regulations,” the newspaper points out.
“Slogans such as ‘special action’ may suggest a price reduction, and thus inform about a promotion within the meaning of EU regulations and national regulations implementing them” – says UOKiK. “However, the regulations do not apply to and do not limit price fluctuations and discounts resulting from loyalty programs or personalized discounts (e.g. on the occasion of a birthday), unless they are addressed to all or the majority of consumers” – adds the Office.
The daily also points out that the changes are not visible on most labels in grocery stores, because the law only applies to products with a shelf life of more than 30 days. As a result, apart from it, there are promotions of most of the so-called fresh products, such as bread, fruit, vegetables, meat and some dairy products.
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