The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has accused Woolworths and Coles of manipulating prices on hundreds of products by briefly increasing them before offering discounts, potentially resulting in hefty fines. The ACCC uses examples like Oreo family packs and Strepsils throat lozenges to demonstrate how the supermarkets allegedly breached consumer laws.
The competition regulator provided an example of alleged conduct by Woolworths – which, alongside Coles , it has accused of briefly increasing prices on hundreds of products before placing them in discount promotions – by using its pricing of a 370g Oreo family pack.
It said that Coles offered the pack for $5.50 for all of 2021 and most of 2022 in its “Down Down” category, marked with a red sticker. The ACCC claims that Coles had planned the temporary price spike to establish a new higher “was” price for the subsequent promotion after receiving a request from the supplier for a price increase.
In court documents, the ACCC cited the example of a 16-pack of Strepsils honey and lemon throat lozenges sold at Coles. “The false or misleading representations concerned the price of household staples at a time of increasing cost of living pressures, and were made in the context of a program which Coles specifically promoted as being designed to help consumers make long-term savings on the cost of their groceries,” the ACCC said.
Woolworths Coles Competition Regulator Price Manipulation Discount Promotions Consumer Laws
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Coles v Woolworths: Three charts show how Coles is outperforming its rivalThe country’s second-largest supermarket chain is doing better than its bigger rival – from more stock on shelves to lower theft and better value. Here’s why.
Read more »
Woolworths, Coles sued by ACCC for ‘misleading’ price drop claimsThe ACCC is suing the supermarket giants, alleging their promotions and discounts weren’t really what they seemed.
Read more »
Woolworths, Coles sued by ACCC for ‘misleading’ price drop claimsThe ACCC is suing the supermarket giants, alleging their promotions and discounts weren’t really what they seemed.
Read more »
Woolworths, Coles sued by ACCC for ‘misleading’ price drop claimsThe ACCC is suing the supermarket giants, alleging their promotions and discounts weren’t really what they seemed.
Read more »
Coles share price: Coles rewards shareholders as profit and margins jump, final dividend 32¢ a shareThe result for the country’s second-largest supermarket chain was in line with expectations, but came as major retailers face political pressure over prices.
Read more »
ACCC sues Coles, Woolworths over allegedly misleading discountsIn separate proceedings, the watchdog claims both supermarkets misled shoppers with prices for hundreds of products.
Read more »