Polish regulator opens new probe into Biedronka | Progresiv

The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection initiated proceedings against the company Jeronimo Martins Polska. The allegations relate to the visibility of lower prices next to the product, followed by the charging of a higher price at the counter in Biedronka chain of stores.

“We had a lot of signals from all over the country about the irregularities in providing prices in chain stores Biedronka. They were reported by both consumers and voivodeship inspectorates of the Trade Inspection. It cannot happen that the customer sees an attractive price on the product, and after seeing the receipt, it turns out that he/she has paid more. This may be an unfair market practice”, says Marek Niechciał, the President of UOKiK.

The complaints show that for example ketchup was to cost 2.79 zlots after a discount, but cash registers showed a regular price of 3.49 zlots. The price of kitchen towels on the receipt was 5.99 zlots and on the shelf - 4.49 zlots. According to another receipt, a kilo of tomatoes cost 3.99 zlots instead of 1.85 as shown by a sign at the stand.

Only from January 1 to September 30, 2019, the Trade Inspection received over 230 complaints about incorrect pricing at Biedronka. Most often they concerned differences between the amount displayed on the shelf and the amount coded at the counter and the lack of prices next to the product. Inspectors also confirmed this during the inspection. For example, this year, within 9 months, they found that in 123 cases in Biedronka the price was missing, and in 25 cases there were differences between the amount visible on the product or shelf and the amount coded at the counter.

Lack of information about the price on the goods or in its vicinity is the second allegation against Jeronimo Martins Polska. “Price is one of the main criteria that consumers use when shopping, especially in discount stores. It allows you to compare products from different brands and make an informed choice between them. The price should be prominently displayed so that consumers can read it easily and are not misled”, says Tomasz Chróstny, vice president of UOKiK.

If the allegations are confirmed, the company Jeronimo Martins Polska may pay a penalty up to 10% of turnover. This is not the only UOKiK proceedings against this company. The Office also verifies whether Jeronimo Martins Polska does not apply unfair commercial practices towards fruit and vegetable suppliers. Whereas in 2018, UOKiK issued a decision in which it questioned the procedures for accepting and examining complaints. (www.uokik.gov.pl)