• The absence of any price information, price lists, pre-discount prices, or prices per litre or kilogram – these were the most common findings of the Trade Inspection Authority in stores.
• Inspectors checked over 460,000 products and 3,000 businesses. Every other establishment provided incorrect price information.
• Consumer, the right to information is one of your most important rights.

Last year, the Trade Inspection Authority, acting on behalf of the President of UOKiK, checked how businesses provide price information. It inspected 3,026 establishments, such as stores (including large retail chains), service outlets (including veterinary clinics, hairdressing salons, beauty salons, and car repair shops), petrol stations, car parks, and hotels. It assessed how prices were displayed for 461,437 products. Businesses were selected based on market monitoring, the results of previous inspections, and reports from consumers.

– Before a consumer adds a product to their basket or uses a service, they must know how much they will pay without having to ask the seller. According to the Trade Inspection Authority’s findings, businesses do not always fulfil this obligation. In doing so, they violated a fundamental consumer right: the right to information. The price must be clear, unambiguous, and final. “From–to” price ranges are not permitted – says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

How much does it cost?

Inspectors checked whether consumers were provided with information on the price of a product or service. The price must be stated in such a way that it leaves no room for doubt and is clearly visible to the customer. Trade Inspection Authority staff also checked whether products were priced per unit, i.e. per litre, kilogram, or metre. This makes it easier to compare products and verify whether the purchase is actually worth it. They also examined promotions: whether the prices displayed actually reflected a promotion and whether the lowest price applied 30 days prior to the reduction was stated.

Results of inspections

Almost half of the businesses inspected (1,462) provided incorrect price information. Various types of irregularities were found in 13 per cent of the products inspected (60,001). Most commonly, there was no price information at all. Consumers therefore did not know how much they would pay. In some cases, where required by law, there was no unit price or it had been calculated incorrectly. Among service providers – such as tailors, hairdressers, beauticians, vets, and others – price lists were missing or “from–to” price ranges were used.

Irregularities also concerned promotions: there was no information on what the lowest price had been 30 days prior to the reduction. Such a reference allows consumers to check whether the offer is genuinely promotional. Sellers most often calculated the reduction in relation to the regular price, rather than to the lowest price from 30 days prior to the promotion.

Audit results

Most traders corrected their price labelling while the inspection was still underway. The Trade Inspection Authority imposed financial penalties on 899 traders, totalling over PLN 1.2 million (PLN 1,204,194).

Business owners, please note:

• Your customer must know how much the product or service you offer costs. This information should be displayed on a price label, on the shelf, on the product itself, or in a price list – without the need to ask the sales assistant.
• The price must be clear and final – including all taxes.
• You are required to state the unit price – per litre, kilogram, metre, or item. For example: 250 ml of shampoo – PLN 3; price per litre – PLN 12. This makes it easier for your customers to compare the cost of similar products.
• In restaurants, at tailors, hairdressers, vets, mechanics, beauty salons, and other service providers – a price list for services must be displayed. “From–to” price ranges are not permitted. The customer must know exactly how much they will pay for hair colouring, a made-to-measure coat, or veterinary treatment. If you offer additional paid services, obtain the customer’s consent before carrying them out.
• Is the price on the label lower than at the till? The customer has the right to purchase the product at the more favourable price.

Consumer, have you noticed any irregularities in price information? Report them to the Trade Inspection Authority, which carries out regular inspections in shops and among service providers.