Retail premises targeted by watchdog over 'breaches' of consumer protection law

A number of retailers across the country are facing fines and possible prosecution after several breaches of consumer protection laws were identified by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

The CCPC has revealed a series of unannounced inspections, targeting multiple retail businesses across the country, were carried out in recent weeks. 

A spokesperson confirmed that a total of 55 inspections were carried out across five counties earlier this month. The inspections covered a wide range of retail sectors including clothing, beauty, furniture, groceries and hospitality.

22 inspections were carried out throughout County Dublin including in Swords, Dundrum and Tallaght; one in Leixlip, County Kildare and eight in Tullamore, County Offaly. In the North West, 12 inspections were carried across County Donegal including in Letterkenny, Bundoran and Donegal Town. A further 12 inspections were completed throughout County Sligo. 

"These inspections form part of the CCPC’s ongoing work to monitor compliance with consumer protection laws and ensure fair trading practices across Ireland. The law sets out how traders must display prices and covers the selling price, unit price and reduced prices. CCPC officers identified several breaches of consumer protection law, including inadequate or inaccurate price displays on items for sale," said a spokesperson.

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The CCPC says inspections were also carried out across the retail motor fuel sector, including at leading service stations, identifying several breaches of the price display rules as set out in the Retail Prices (Diesel and Petrol) Display Order, 1997.

Patrick Kenny, Member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, commented: “CCPC enforcement officers use our national helpline data to spot patterns of consumer harm and traders who might merit investigation. We carry out unannounced inspections and if we find traders breaking the law, we can issue fines and take prosecutions. 

“Consumers need to see prices up front in order to make informed choices. If our enforcement officers find breaches of consumer protection law, we will act.”

The CCPC says the traders were selected based on location and sector and, in some cases, following consumer complaints to its consumer helpline which was contacted by 44,000 consumers during 2014. 

Separately, the CCPC is calling for the introduction of more substantial penalties for companies that breach consumer protection law.

"Changes to the law are needed to give the CCPC the power to impose large fines for serious offences – for example, fines that are a percentage of a business’s turnover," said a spokesperson who noted that in March of this year, a number of high-profile companies were each ordered to donate €1,000 to charity after they admitted breaking sales pricing legislation.

Consumers who suspect a trader has breached consumer law are encouraged to report their concerns to the CCPC by phoning 01 402 5555 or by emailing ask@ccpc.ie.