Dublin District Court convicts owners of Dublin Store for failing to Display Prices
Wednesday, 16th January 2008 - AKS Foods Limited, owner of Corbitts, 13 Meath Street, Dublin 8 was convicted at Dublin District Court on 15th January 2008 for failing to display the selling and unit prices of a range of grocery products, in contravention of the European Communities (Requirements to Indicate Product Prices) Regulations 2002.
The Judge imposed fines totalling € 1,800. (i.e. €50 for each of the 36 counts) Also costs of €500 plus VAT were also awarded.
The offences occurred on 1 March, 19 April and 20 July 2007. The unpriced items included;
- milk
- breakfast cereals
- soft drinks
- bread
- washing up liquid
Commenting on the court outcome, the Chief Executive of the National Consumer Agency, Ms. Ann Fitzgerald said, "It is not acceptable for traders to adopt a haphazard approach towards price display. Consumers have a right to this information and the new enforcement powers available to the Agency under the Consumer Protection Act will help to ensure better compliance throughout the retail sector".
Ms. Fitzgerald advised that the new measures include the power to issue fixed payment notices (on the spot fines) in respect of breaches of price display legislation. The Act also provides for the establishment of a new Consumer Protection List and enables the Agency to "name and shame" traders who breach consumer laws. Ms. Fitzgerald added; "as CEO of the National Consumer Agency, I will maximise the use of these enforcement tools over the coming months to deliver better protection to consumers".