The Price Marking (Amendment) Order 2024
Purpose:
The Price Marking (Amendment) Order 2024 amends the Price Marking Order 2004 (the “Principal Order”) to address concerns about the accuracy and transparency of pricing information provided to consumers.
Key Amendments:
- Prohibition on Dual Pricing: The amendment prohibits retailers from displaying multiple prices for the same product or service, except in certain limited circumstances. This aims to prevent consumers from being confused or misled about the actual price they will pay.
- Clear and Unambiguous Pricing: Retailers must ensure that prices are displayed clearly and unambiguously, without any hidden charges or additional costs. This includes displaying the price per unit of measurement for products sold by weight or volume.
- Electronic Price Displays: The amendment introduces specific requirements for electronic price displays, such as ensuring that they are easy to read, accurate, and up-to-date.
- Enforcement: The amendment strengthens enforcement powers by allowing Trading Standards authorities to issue fixed penalty notices for breaches of the regulations.
Exemptions:
Certain exemptions are provided for:
- Prices displayed in catalogs or other printed materials not used at the point of sale
- Prices for variable-weight products, such as fresh produce
- Prices for services that are not easily quantifiable
Rationale:
The government introduced this amendment to:
- Improve the accuracy and transparency of pricing information for consumers
- Reduce confusion and protect consumers from unfair pricing practices
- Enhance enforcement measures to ensure compliance with the regulations
Impact on Businesses:
Retailers will need to review their pricing practices and ensure compliance with the new requirements. The amendment is expected to:
- Reduce the incidence of dual pricing and hidden charges
- Improve the overall shopping experience for consumers
- Increase the consistency and accuracy of pricing information
Timeline:
The Price Marking (Amendment) Order 2024 came into force on April 1, 2024. Retailers have a grace period of one month to implement the necessary changes to their pricing practices.
The Price Marking (Amendment) Order 2024
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