The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has reopened Sahad Stores Ltd, a popular supermarket in the Garki area of Abuja.
FCCPC sealed the store on Friday for unethical practices.
The management of the supermarket was accused of shortchanging customers by charging higher prices than those displayed on the price tags at the shelves.
The enforcement was led by the FCCPC Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi.
Briefing journalists on the sidelines of the event, Abdullahi said the commission’s preliminary investigation confirmed that the management of the supermarket was short changing customers.
He said the store would remain sealed until the completion of further investigation.
Quoting sections 115 (3) of the commission’s act, he said “an undertaking shall not require a consumer to pay a price for any good or service higher than the price displayed.”
This business practice, he said, amounted to a violation of consumers’ rights under the FCCPA.
When contacted on Saturday morning, the supermarket’s customer care refused to speak on the issue.
FCCPC, in a statement by Abdullahi on Saturday said the store had resumed operations.
“On February 16, 2024, FCCPC operatives visited Sahad Stores and confirmed through random checks that the deceptive practice did not only continue, but cashiers also charged prices at their discretion, leaving unsuspecting customers vulnerable to unfair pricing.
“Exercising its authority under Section 18(f), the Commission temporarily sealed the premises.
“However, following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices, the FCCPC reopened the store on February 16, 2024, at about 7 p.m,” the statement read.
The FCCPC urged businesses “to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times.”