Business owners were reminded that false New Year-season discounts are punishable

The Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection reminded businessmen of the requirements of the legislation when conducting promotions and applying discounts in the context of the approaching New Year.

According to the department, as the New Year approaches, many entrepreneurs are offering promotions. However, some of them announce false discounts or do not provide information about the amount of the discount, the quantity of goods participating in the promotion, and other necessary information.

The committee received more than 48 thousand appeals, a significant part of which were related to the fact that consumers were not provided with correct and reliable information. According to the Retail Trade Regulations, the seller is obligated to maintain records of goods and prices, record the actual prices of goods for the last 30 days, and, at the consumer’s request, provide these data.

When applying the discount, the seller is obliged:

• establish a specific discount in percentage or sum and ensure a simple and understandable display of the price;
• provide, at the consumer’s request, accurate information on the price of the goods before the discount for each product;
• documentally (evidently) confirm the lowest price for the last 30 days before the discount is announced (except for agricultural products);
• If the quantity of goods sold with a discount is limited, or the goods are seasonal, or the discount is related to their condition (expiring shelf life, damage to packaging, disposal of old inventory, etc.), the seller is obliged to indicate this information in the discount announcement;
• clearly indicate the validity period of the discount (date of commencement and end), and if the discount is valid only under certain conditions — indicate these conditions in advance;
• if the provision of a discount requires the consumer to provide personal data or register, the seller is obliged to comply with the legislation on personal data and inform the consumer about the purposes and conditions for processing this data.

Also, when announcing a discount, its terms and validity period must be clearly indicated. The seller is obliged to convey to consumers accurate and understandable information about the timing of the promotion, the conditions for participation, the name (category) and quantity of goods participating in the promotion, not to change the conditions, and to ensure that the offered discounts, bonuses, and other benefits are actually applied.

In addition, it is prohibited to apply discounts when selling alcoholic and tobacco products, nicotine and tobacco devices, and to conduct incentive campaigns in the advertising of medicines, dietary supplements, food additives, and energy drinks.

Recall that in Uzbekistan, discounts will be introduced for pensioners in the tourism sector. The offer will be valid for one month for men over 60 and women over 55.