The Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Rights Protection of Uzbekistan has issued a warning to entrepreneurs amid a surge of complaints about the so-called "New Year sales." Many promotions, according to the agency, turn out to be fictitious: prices do not change, conditions are hidden, and buyers are shown "discounts" that are not actually supported by anything.
This year, the committee received more than 48,000 complaints, and a significant portion of them are related to incorrect information about promotions. Buyers complain that sellers do not indicate the actual size of discounts, do not disclose the number of goods participating in the promotion, and advertise the same offers as new sales without actually reducing the price on paper.
The agency reminded businesses of the requirements of the Retail Trade Rules. Sellers are required to clearly indicate the discount amount, record prices for the last 30 days and present them upon request, documentarily confirm the lowest price for the period, indicate the duration of the promotion, conditions of participation, and the volume of goods with discounts. It is also necessary to disclose important details - expiring shelf life, damaged packaging, and any features that affect the price.
The committee emphasized that if unfair practices continue, entrepreneurs will be subject to legally prescribed measures of responsibility. Previously, the agency had already warned about schemes of fraudsters who manipulate buyers with the help of "crazy discounts," bonuses, and other pseudo-beneficial offers.