Traders Warned as Christmas Shopping Begins

December 13, 2024

With Christmas just around the corner, the Consumer Council of Fiji is urging traders to
prioritize ethical business practices over quick profits. As consumers gear up for their holiday
shopping sprees, the Council is intensifying its market surveillance to ensure compliance with
relevant laws and ethical standards.

The Council’s inspections during the early festive season have revealed several alarming issues
that demand immediate attention. Among the most pressing concerns are traders failing to
display price tags on items, creating confusion for consumers, while others are engaging in
deceptive marketing tactics by advertising false discounts where “SPECIALS” notices are
placed on items that are sold at their regular prices.

Further issues identified include the display of notices containing exclusionary clauses that
may mislead or disadvantage consumers, the sale of expired products, and improper labeling
of food items, such as repacked confectionaries without expiration dates or baked-on dates.
These practices not only breach consumer protection laws but also risk public health. In
establishments handling food, the Council noted serious lapses in hygiene and safety standards,
including staff failing to wear proper protective equipment, uncovered food warmers and
cooking ingredients, uncovered rubbish bins, and kitchens requiring cleaning. The presence of
flies and the absence of fly-trappers in some premises exacerbate these risks.

In other cases, the Council has also observed retailers failing to disclose the validity periods of
sales and promotional notices, leaving consumers uncertain about the duration of advertised
offers. Poor store maintenance, including dusty shelves and unhygienic storage conditions, has
been another recurring concern. These observations have been made in the first week of
December alone.

“The Council’s message is clear: traders should refrain from exploiting consumers during this
festive season,” says Council CEO Seema Shandil. “In response to the violations observed
during our market surveillances, we have issued several warning letters to traders and, in
certain cases, referred non-compliant businesses to other regulatory authorities such as the
Municipal Councils and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) for further
action,” adds Shandil.

The Council is also closely monitoring all eateries around the country to ensure no substandard or unhygienic good is being sold to consumers. “Retailers engaged in the food business are being reminded of their obligations under the Food Safety Act and warned against cutting corners, as such practices may result in fines or, in extreme cases, closure notices issued by Municipal Council Officers and Health Inspectors,” says Shandil.

Ms Shandil further advised businesses to ‘take these warnings seriously and rectify any
breaches immediately to avoid severe penalties and reputational damage.’ As the festive season
brings increased foot traffic to businesses, maintaining high standards of compliance and
ethical practices is crucial to ensure a safe and positive shopping experience for all.

While the Council will continue its surveillance campaign around the country, consumers are
also encouraged to be careful while shopping and report any cases of non-compliance to the
Council, via the national consumer helpline, 155 (Toll Free). Consumers can also reach out via
social media or through complaints@consumersfiji.org.