Qatar bans retailers from price hikes
Qatar has banned retailers from raising the price of goods without the permission of authorities, it has been reported.
Shops which break the rules could face fines of up to QR10,000, ($2,700) warned Sheikh Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, director of the Department of Consumer Protection.
“Some traders have sought permission to raise the prices of certain commodities but we have turned down their requests,” he told the Peninsula.
The Qatari government has intervened on the cost of goods a number of times over the price of soft drinks, mutton and cement, the paper reported.
The consumer protection department has also bee issuing monthly price lists for essential goods at leading stores to encourage competition.
“We revise the list frequently to include more commodities. During the forthcoming Ramadan, we will include those items that will be of special demand in the holy month,” said Sheikh Jassim.
Shops have also been banned from announcing any promotions without securing approval of the department.
“They should apply for approval three months in advance with all the necessary documents, including purchase invoices of the promotion items,” he said.
Is this banning increases in price just for "certain commodities" or anything?
If it's just "certain commodities", does a list exist?
I understand the Consumer Protection Dept. or the relevant govt. entity is in charge of listing the pricing of staple commodities, how is the pricing left up to each independent shop's request for any given item?
I just need to understand the mechanism.
Salam