Council’s trading standards investigate inflated pricing - 25 March 2020

25 Mar 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Northumberland Trading Standards team have been investigating highly inflated and misleading pricing of toiletries and similar products as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, and are asking residents to be aware and report any unethical pricing.

Complaints have been received by the service that traders have been selling goods that are already price marked on the packaging, at a much higher price than that displayed.

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Regulations 2008 and Guidance for Traders on pricing states that traders ‘need to behave professionally and responsibly in the pricing of their products’.They are expected to formulate pricing in accordance with honest market practice and pricing must not be misleading or false. 

Northumberland County Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member with responsibility for public protection said:  “While the vast majority of retailers have been working incredibly hard to support local residents, we have had reports that some of our residents including vulnerable people are being asked to pay greatly inflated prices for what are standard products. 

“It’s extremely frustrating that customers are reporting that some local businesses are overcharging for goods that are in high demand. We are in an unforeseen and unprecedented national emergency, and this level of profiteering is unethical and really lacks the community spirit that has been displayed across our communities.

“Our officers are contacting these businesses and advising them of the law.”
 
If residents have concerns about the selling price of goods then they should contact trading standards by email tradingstandards@northumberland.gov.uk

Business are advised to contact Trading Standards if they require advice about price marking of goods by emailing tradingstandards@northumberland.gov.uk - leaving their telephone number so a member of the team can ring them back.