ARTICLE · 12 FEBRUARY 2009

Fair Trading Act In 2008 – The Year In Review

DLA Piper Australia

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The Commerce Commission (Commission) monitors compliance with our principal consumer protection legislation - the Fair Trading Act 1986 (Act). In 2008 the Commission focused on misleading promotions, particularly in the banking, finance and supermarket sectors.

AustraliaConsumer Protection

Mark Williamson

Ruth Sullman

The Commerce Commission (Commission) monitors compliance with our principal consumer protection legislation - the Fair Trading Act 1986 (Act). In 2008 the Commission focused on misleading promotions, particularly in the banking, finance and supermarket sectors.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

Sale pricing

The Commission commenced 2008 with a stern warning for retailers – advertising sale prices that are no cheaper than every day prices can put them in breach of the Act. Advek Holdings, trading as Back to Bed, was fined $26,400 for breaching the Act by advertising 'massive savings' and 'slashed prices' when it was consistently selling beds at approximately the same prices during sale and non-sale periods.

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