The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reopened Sahad Stores, a popular supermarket in Abuja, following its temporary closure on Friday, February 16.
The closure was prompted by the store’s alleged lack of transparency in pricing practices, as revealed by FCCPC investigations.
The commission accused Sahad Stores of displaying lower prices on shelves while charging higher prices at checkout, leaving customers with no choice but to pay inflated amounts.
This was labelled as “violations involving misleading pricing and lack of transparency” by the FCCPC.
In a statement issued by the acting Executive Vice Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, on Saturday, it was confirmed that Sahad Stores had been reopened after a temporary closure.
The FCCPC conducted random checks and found that deceptive practices persisted, prompting the initial closure under Section 18(f) of its authority.
The statement highlighted the reopening on February 16, 2024, at around 7 p.m., following a commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices.
The FCCPC emphasized the importance of businesses displaying transparent pricing information, especially during challenging economic times.
The commission reiterated its commitment to combating exploitative or misleading practices and protecting consumer rights.
It urged all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices, emphasizing potential penalties outlined in Section 115 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Providing background information, the FCCPC recalled its initial investigation on January 8, 2024, which revealed misleading pricing practices at Sahad Stores.
Following this, the commission issued a summons to the store’s staff to discuss corrective measures on February 12, 2024, but they failed to appear without justification, raising concerns about potential violations under Section 33(3) of the FCCPA.
