Bunnings sticks to ‘lowest price’ claim
Bunnings’ ‘‘lowest prices’’ policy will continue, despite 45 charges of misleading customers brought against it by the country’s competition watchdog.
The retail chain faces legal charges after advertising a ‘‘lowest price guarantee’’ while not always having the lowest prices on the market.
General manager Jacqui Coombes said the policy was backed up by ‘‘behind the scenes’’ business processes, and Bunnings would continue to advertise it while claims were heard in court.
She said the company was disappointed with the Commerce Commission’s decision to file charges.
‘‘We disagree with the Commerce Commission’s view of our lowest price policy and will defend our highly competitive price guarantee.’’
The commission filed the charges in the Auckland District Court, alleging that Bunnings’ campaigns and in-store advertising gave the impression it offered the lowest prices for its products, ‘‘when this was not true’’.
The charges relate to advertising between June 1, 2014, and February 28, 2016, and were laid in December.
Some of the slogans the commission found to be ‘‘false and misleading’’ during this period included: ‘‘We’ve got the widest range and the lowest prices’’; ‘‘Everything is at the lowest price guaranteed’’; ‘‘Bunnings has the lowest price on everything you need’’; and ‘‘Lowest prices are just the beginning’’.
Bunnings’ website states: ‘‘Lowest prices are just the beginning … that’s our policy.’’ It also states: ‘‘We don’t pretend to be the lowest at every instant on everything …’’
Each of the 45 offences has a maximum fine of $600,000, potentially totaling $27 million.
The case will be heard in the Auckland District Court on March 7.