The Consumer Council has expressed serious concerns about pricing accuracy and compliance within supermarkets across the nation, revealing over 200 violations discovered during an extensive monitoring operation over the festive season. Chief Executive Seema Shandil noted that since August 1, the Council has performed more than 1,100 inspections in supermarkets, retail shops, open markets, eateries, and various service providers.
From the 297 inspections specifically concentrated on supermarkets, an alarming 222 instances of non-compliance were identified. These violations included significant issues like discrepancies between advertised shelf prices and final checkout totals, missing price labels, misleading advertisements, and breaches of price control regulations. The rise in these infractions during the busy festive season raises concerns, as increased shopping activity often leads to consumers making rushed decisions.
Shandil remarked that these trends appear to be deliberate, indicating that some retailers may be taking advantage of consumer urgency during the holidays to boost their profits at the expense of hardworking families in Fiji. She commented, “This is not just unethical; it erodes the very foundation of trust our marketplace relies upon.”
The Council also uncovered ongoing food safety violations in several supermarkets, including the sale of expired products, dented or rusty cans, poor storage practices, overcrowded freezers, and pest issues. These recurring problems demonstrate a blatant neglect for the Food Safety Act, which establishes essential requirements that many supermarkets have been failing to meet.
In response to these findings, the Suva Retailers Association is urging its members to adhere to regulatory standards that ensure both consumer safety and pricing integrity. The Consumer Council is working in conjunction with enforcement agencies, such as health inspectors and the Price Monitoring and Enforcement Taskforce, to address these violations effectively.
Consumers are encouraged to stay alert by monitoring checkout scanners, examining receipts carefully before exiting stores, and promptly reporting any inconsistencies. With heightened awareness and cooperative efforts, there is a strong possibility for a marketplace that champions ethical practices and fosters consumer trust.