The Consumer Council has revealed significant concerns regarding pricing accuracy and compliance in supermarkets across the country, uncovering over 200 breaches during an intensive festive season market surveillance. Chief Executive Seema Shandil announced that since August 1, the Council has conducted more than 1,100 inspections in supermarkets, retail outlets, open markets, eateries, and various service providers.
Out of the 297 inspections specifically targeting supermarkets, a troubling 222 instances of non-compliance were found. These included serious issues such as discrepancies between shelf prices and checkout totals, missing price tags, misleading advertisements, and violations of price control regulations. The increase in such breaches during the festive season is particularly alarming, as heightened shopping activity often leads to consumers making hurried decisions.
Shandil emphasized that these patterns appear to be intentional, suggesting that some retailers may be exploiting consumer urgency during the holidays to increase their profits at the expense of hardworking families in Fiji. She stated, “This is not just unethical; it erodes the very foundation of trust our marketplace relies upon.”
Additionally, the Council identified persistent food safety violations in some supermarkets, such as the sale of expired products, dented or rusty cans, inadequate storage practices, overcrowded freezers, and the presence of pests. These recurring issues illustrate a blatant disregard for the Food Safety Act, which outlines essential requirements that many supermarkets continue to ignore.
The Suva Retailers Association has joined the call for members to comply with regulatory standards to ensure consumer safety and pricing integrity. To combat these violations, the Consumer Council is collaborating with enforcement agencies, including health inspectors and the Price Monitoring and Enforcement Taskforce.
In an effort to protect consumers, individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant by monitoring checkout scanners, reviewing receipts carefully before leaving stores, and promptly reporting any discrepancies. With increased awareness and collaborative efforts, there is hope for a marketplace that prioritizes ethical practices and consumer trust.