Muscat: A commercial centre in North Al Batinah Governorate was seized by Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) for offering misleading promotions.
"The Directorate General of Consumer Protection in North Al Batinah Governorate seized a commercial centre that made misleading promotions in violation of the Consumer Protection Law issued by Royal Decree No. (66/2014)," CPA said in a statement.
During their field visits to shops and markets, the officers came across a commercial centre that gave discounts and commercial offers on some goods. While they were reviewing the discounts and offers in order to ensure their credibility, it turned out that the store was giving misleading promotional offers. As the purchase banner did not make it clear to consumers that the offer is limited only to clothes and shoes, customers were surprised to find a big amount on their invoice, which is in violation of Article (35) of the Executive Regulations of the Consumer Protection Law.
Accordingly, the Directorate took all applicable legal measures in such cases, as an administrative fine was imposed against the commercial centre.
Offering promotions and discounts requires obtaining prior approval from the competent authorities and then the Consumer Protection Authority, represented by the Directorate, checks the prices, percentages of reduction and legal requirements.