Australia’s Federal Court has ruled that Coles misled shoppers through its “Down Down” discount campaign, finding the advertised discounts did not reflect genuine savings. Multiple outlets report that Justice Michael O’Bryan delivered the judgment on Thursday. The court’s finding focuses on how Coles set its “was” prices before applying the discounted prices. According to reports from Brisbane Times, The Age, and the Sydney Morning Herald, the “Down Down” discounts were based on previous prices that were offered for too short a period to be considered a real reference point. Coverage from SBS News and The Guardian describes the decision as a landmark outcome for consumer protection, following arguments from the competition watchdog that the campaign did not provide true savings. Other reporting, including 7News Australia and The West Australian, says the ruling could lead to financial consequences for Coles, including possible orders to repay customers. Experts quoted by The West Australian also suggest the broader price environment may continue to affect what shoppers ultimately pay, even after the ruling.
Federal Court rules Coles’ “Down Down” discounts misled shoppers
Australia’s Federal Court has ruled that Coles misled shoppers through its “Down Down” discount campaign, finding the advertised discounts did not reflect genuine savings. Multiple outlets report that...
- Justice Michael O’Bryan rules Coles’ “Down Down” discount campaign misled shoppers.
- The court finds the “was” prices used to calculate discounts were not genuine reference prices.
- Reports say the prior prices were offered for too short a period to be considered real.
- The decision is described as a landmark win for Australia’s consumer/competition watchdog.
- Coverage notes Coles may face potential orders to repay customers and further regulatory consequences.
The supermarket giant scammed customers with its ‘Down Down’ campaign by pretending items were on sale, a court ruled this week.
3 months agoShoppers can expect higher prices for longer at the supermarket, experts say, after the Federal Court found Coles misled consumers with sham discounts in a landmark win for the consumer watchdog.
3 months agoColes misled millions of Australians for years through its “Down Down” programme by advertising fake discounts to customers, a court has found.
3 months agoJustice Michael O'Bryan handed down the judgment on Thursday morning.
3 months agoLandmark finding against supermarket giant after competition watchdog argued discounts did not represent genuine savingsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastColes misled Australian shoppers with fake discounts on everyday grocery products, the federal court has ruled in a landmark decision for the supermarket industry.Justice Michael O’Bryan handed down his judgment on Thursday, delivering a significant blow to Australia’s second-largest supermarket chain, which had argued the discounts represented genuine savings during a period of high inflation. Continue reading...
3 months agoJustice Michael O’Bryan found the discounts were based on previous prices that were offered for too short a period to be considered real in a landmark decision.
3 months ago
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