Furniture shop in Salwa Road shut down for making false advertising claims

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has announced a two-week administrative closure of a furniture store, located on Salwa Road for charging prices contrary to what was advertised.

The shop had been advertising through local newspapers the sale of furniture at wholesale prices whereas, in reality, it was misleading consumers as the advertised prices were higher than true prices registered on the store’s computer.

The ministry has intensified its campaigns ahead and throughout the holy month of Ramadan in a bid to monitor markets and commercial activity in order to crack down on price manipulation and protect consumer rights.

Inspectors from the ministry fined the store and compelled its closure for a two-week period in line with article (6) of law number (8) of 2008. The law prohibits the sale, display and promotion of counterfeit and fraudulent products. A product is considered fraudulent if it fails to meet standards or has expired.

The administrative closure is published on the ministry's website as well as two daily newspapers at the offending store's own expense in line with article (3) of law no (8) on consumer protection.

The ministry stated that it is determined to protect consumer rights and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crack down on all violations of the consumer protection law.

The ministry said it will refer violators of laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities, who will take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect the rights of consumers.

Courtesy: gulf-times.com