Economic Ministry warns of action against shops that do not display prices
The Ministry of Economic Development has warned businesses that goods on sale without clearly visible prices will lead to enforcement action, with fines of up to MVR 250,000 and possible closure for up to six months.
The Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade today warned that action will be taken against businesses selling goods without clearly visible prices.
In its announcement, the ministry said it has been receiving complaints that a large number of goods on sale in shops and other businesses do not carry prices that customers can see clearly.
Under section 16 of the Consumer Protection Act, goods may not be offered for sale unless the price is clearly visible to the buyer. A price counts as clearly visible if it is written, printed or fixed directly on the item, or displayed at the place where the item is kept. The ministry asked businesses to display prices as the law requires.
The ministry said it will carry out inspections and monitoring to check that businesses comply, and will take action against those trading without displaying prices.
Section 66 of the Act gives the ministry the power to fine or otherwise penalise sellers and service providers who do something the law prohibits or who breach it. For a first offence, the fine is between MVR 1,000 and MVR 100,000, and the business is given a period to correct the problem. For each repeat offence, the fine is between MVR 1,500 and MVR 250,000, again with time to correct it.
If the problem is still not fixed after that, the fine is between MVR 5,000 and MVR 250,000, and the ministry can close the business for up to six months.
