Letterkenny EuroGiant store punished for breaking pricing rules three times

A Donegal discount store has been hit with enforcement action after inspections by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) found breaches of consumer pricing laws.

Euro General Retail Limited, trading as Eurogiant at The Courtyard Shopping Centre on Lower Main Street in Letterkenny, was issued three Fixed Payment Notices following inspections at the store.

The CCPC said the notices were issued after inspectors found that unit prices were not displayed on certain goods offered for sale.

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In its enforcement notice, the CCPC stated that the trader "was required to display the unit price of certain goods offered for sale" and that during an inspection at the Letterkenny premises, the retailer was found "to be in breach of this requirement by failing to provide the unit price of a product in accordance with the relevant legislation".

Each Fixed Payment Notice carries a €300 fine for breaches relating to price display requirements.

The legal requirement to display unit pricing is set out in Regulation 5(1) of the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002, which states:
"Where a trader indicates that a product is or may be for sale to a consumer, he or she shall indicate the unit price of the product in accordance with these Regulations."

The same legislation defines unit price as: "The final price in euro, including value-added tax and all other taxes, for one kilogram, one litre, one metre, one square metre or one cubic metre of a product," allowing shoppers to compare value between different brands and pack sizes.

The CCPC revealed on Thursday that 18 enforcement actions have been taken against traders in Mayo, Cork, Donegal, Dublin and Offaly following in-store and online inspections and investigations.

High-profile figures were also named in the enforcement sweep with Conor McGregor issued a compliance notice for failing to disclose the commercial nature of content on his Instagram account, while influencer Suzanne Jackson was also served with a compliance notice for the same.

Retailers and pubs were also found to be in breach of consumer law with fixed payment notices issued to Circle K stores in Dublin for failing to display prices, as were Flannels in Cork and a Centra in Offaly for similar issues, and several Temple Bar pubs were also served notices for failing to display price lists.

Patrick Kenny, member of the CCPC, said: "Whether you’re a retailer, a publican or an influencer, you must comply with consumer law.

"Our officers carry out hundreds of instore and online inspections, sweeps and investigations every year, assessing thousands of products and transactions to make sure consumer rights are upheld across the economy."

He warned that the CCPC will take further action where traders fail to fix breaches.

"CCPC teams will be actively monitoring compliance by these traders. Failure to obey a compliance notice is an offence, and we will prosecute those who do not correct their practices," Mr Kenny added.

The watchdog said consumer reports play a key role in identifying non-compliance.

"Consumer reports to our helpline and industry intelligence help us to identify patterns of non-compliance, and we’re grateful to everyone who takes the time to share valuable information with us," Mr Kenny said.