‘Shops shouldn’t mislead customers’ — FCCPC reopens sealed Abuja supermarket

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it has reopened Sahad Stores, a supermarket located in the Garki area of Abuja.

The supermarket was sealed on Friday by an enforcement team, for engaging in “misleading pricing and lack of transparency in pricing”.

The FCCPC said investigations revealed that Sahad Stores displayed lower prices on shelves and charged higher prices at checkout.

The commission said the investigation included all Sahad Stores branches in Abuja, in a bid to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues, and implement corrective measures across the entire chain.

FCCPC said it had invited members of the supermarket management to defend themselves, but they failed to show up.

Adamu Abdullahi, acting executive vice chair of the FCCPC, said in a statement that following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices, “the FCCPC reopened the store on February 16, 2024, at about 7:00 PM”.

“Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times,” the statement reads.

“The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misleading practices that undermine consumer rights.

“The FCCPA protects consumer rights and prohibits deceptive business practices. Section 115 outlines potential penalties for violations, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors.

“The FCCPC encourages all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices to ensure consumer protection and a healthy market environment.”