The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reopened the popular Abuja supermarket, Sahad Stores, after temporarily sealing it on February 16, 2024.
News About Nigeria reported that the store was closed due to a lack of transparency in the pricing practices observed at the supermarket.
The FCCPC had accused Sahad Stores of misleading pricing and a lack of transparency, stating that the store displayed lower prices on shelves while charging higher prices at checkout.
This practice, according to the commission, left customers with no choice but to pay higher amounts for items.
In a statement issued by the acting Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, the commission confirmed the reopening of Sahad Stores after reaching a mutual understanding with the supermarket.
The reopening took place on February 16, 2024, around 7 p.m.
The commission urged businesses to adopt transparent pricing information, empowering consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, particularly during challenging economic times.
The FCCPC stated that its role is to protect consumer rights and prohibit deceptive business practices, citing potential penalties, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors, as outlined in Section 115 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
The background to the temporary closure of Sahad Stores was provided in the statement.
The FCCPC said it initiated an investigation into the supermarket on January 8, 2024, following reports of misleading pricing practices.
The investigation revealed that Sahad Stores displayed lower prices on shelves but charged higher prices at checkout, violating Section 115 of the FCCPA 2018.
Subsequently, the commission issued a summons to specific Sahad Stores staff, requesting their appearance on February 12, 2024, to discuss corrective measures.
However, the staff failed to appear without justification, leading to concerns about potential violations under Section 33(3) of the FCCPA.
