Traders charging old prices will be dealt with

Traders found to be charging old prices on discounted items under the guise of ‘old stock’ will be dealt with by the Consumer Council of Fiji, Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service.

Consumers have raised concerns that some supermarkets were still charging old prices despite the reduction announced in the 2020/2021 National Budget.

Consumer Council chief executive officer, Seema Shandil, said this happened because traders purchased stock in bulk which were charged under the previous fiscal and excise duty.

“Once these stocks are cleared, consumers will see a decrease in price on items which has received a reduction in duties,” she said. “The council has noted that some traders have started to decrease the prices of goods, which were part of the 1600 items on which fiscal and excise duty was reduced and it expects other traders to do the same in the coming days.”

She said traders would be monitored to ensure that the benefits of the budget announcement was passed on to consumers. “The council, together with FCCC and FRCS will be strictly monitoring traders to ensure they do not engage in such dubious practices,” she said.

“However, consumers are urged to contact the any of these authorities should they wish to register their concern.”