E-commerce under the scrutiny of UOKIK. Time to review sales policy in Poland
The e-commerce industry has come under particular attention from the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). The office is checking whether consumers are being accurately informed about the lowest price from 30 days before the reduction and whether the promotional mechanisms used are misleading.
In this article:
Lowest price in 30 days – UOKIK says check
The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKIK) has announced that he will closely examine the e-commerce industry in terms of informing consumers about prices. In particular, the way in which consumers are informed about the lowest price of a product in the last 30 days before the reduction will be verified. Previous inspections have shown that online retailers provide unreliable information about this data.
The latest analysis of the TEMU website and mobile application showed that customers cannot always determine the size of a promotion, are not provided with a reference point, or are given inaccurate amounts.
The rules for presenting reduced prices in accordance with the Omnibus Directive are universal for all industries.
UOKIK reports that it is currently conducting six investigations into the misrepresentation of information about discounts, in which allegations have been made against the following companies: Zalando, Media Markt, Sephora, Glovo, Shell Polska, and AzaGroup (Renee and Born2Be stores). It has also issued more than 70 soft statements.
Ban on permanent promotions
The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection also announced that special discount codes, sale days and promotion countdown clocks on websites will be subject to particular examination to ensure that they do not violate consumer interests. These mechanisms are often abused by online retailers who want to unfairly influence consumers’ decision-making processes.
Examples of illegal behaviour include endless promotions, constantly renewed discount codes, and promotion countdown clocks that keep restarting.
Summary
In accordance with the Omnibus Directive, sellers are obliged to present price reductions and promotions in a transparent and honest manner.
Now is the last moment to thoroughly review or possibly change your pricing and promotional policies in order to avoid allegations, penalties and loss of customer trust.
Source: The article was created in collaboration with our cooperation partner – sdzlegal Schindhelm Law Office
If you have any questions regarding this topic or if you are in need for any additional information – please do not hesitate to contact us:
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS DEPARTMENT
ELŻBIETA
NARON-GROCHALSKA
Head of Customer Relationships
Department / Senior Manager
getsix® Group
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