FCCPC gives full reasons for sealing off Sahad Stores

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Saturday, gave full details of its investigations against a popular Abuja shopping mall, Sahad Stores, which it temporarily sealed off on Friday.
The store’s Area 11, Garki branch in Abuja was sealed off on Friday for persistently displaying lower prices on shelves and charging higher prices at the checkout, the agency said.

A statement issued by the agency’s acting chief executive officer, Adamu Abdullahi, on Saturday, giving fuller details of the commission’s investigation, said the store was persistently involved in “misleading” or “deceptive” pricing practices.

Acording to Mr Abdullahi, the agency launched an investigation of all Sahad Stores branches in Abuja on 8 January, following complaints about their alleged “misleading” pricing practices.

After the commission’s findings confirmed the allegation at the Garki branch of the store, Mr Abdullahi said, its officials were summoned to appear on 12 February “to discuss corrective measures,” but they failed to honour the invitation.

“However, the staff failed to appear without justification, raising concerns about potential violations under Section 33(3) of the FCCPC.

“Consequently, on February 16, 2024, FCCPC operatives visited Sahad Stores and confirmed through random checks that the deceptive practice did not only continue, but cashiers also charged prices at their discretion, leaving unsuspecting customers vulnerable to unfair pricing. Exercising its authority under Section 18(f), the Commission temporarily sealed the premises,” the statement said.

The statement, however, added that the store was reopened at 7 p.m. on Friday “following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices.”

Read FCCPC’s full statement below.

FCCPC Statement on SAHAD STORES TEMPORARY SEALING.

The (FCCPC) Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission conducted an on-the-spot check on Sahad Stores in Abuja on February 16, 2024, leading to the temporary closure of the store due to continued violations involving misleading pricing and lack of transparency.

Earlier, on January 8, 2024, the FCCPC investigated Sahad Stores following reports of misleading pricing practices. The investigation revealed that Sahad Stores displayed lower prices on shelves and charged higher prices at checkout, contravening Section 115 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

ALSO READ: Sahad Stores reopened hours after sealing off by FCCPC

The investigation included all Sahad Stores branches in Abuja to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issue and implement corrective measures across the entire chain.

The FCCPC promptly issued a summons to specific Sahad Stores staff, asking them to appear on February 12, 2024, to discuss corrective measures. However, the staff failed to appear without justification, raising concerns about potential violations under Section 33(3) of the FCCPA.

Consequently, on February 16, 2024, FCCPC operatives visited Sahad Stores and confirmed through random checks that the deceptive practice did not only continue, but cashiers also charged prices at their discretion, leaving unsuspecting customers vulnerable to unfair pricing. Exercising its authority under Section 18(f), the Commission temporarily sealed the premises.

However, following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices, the FCCPC reopened the store on February 16, 2024, at about 7:00 PM.

Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times. The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misleading practices that undermine consumer rights. The FCCPA protects consumer rights and prohibits deceptive business practices. Section 115 outlines potential penalties for violations, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors.

The FCCPC encourages all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices to ensure consumer protection and a healthy market environment.

Dr. Adamu Abdullahi
Ag. Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Saturday, gave full details of its investigations against a popular Abuja shopping mall, Sahad Stores, which it temporarily sealed off on Friday.
The store’s Area 11, Garki branch in Abuja was sealed off on Friday for persistently displaying lower prices on shelves and charging higher prices at the checkout, the agency said.

A statement issued by the agency’s acting chief executive officer, Adamu Abdullahi, on Saturday, giving fuller details of the commission’s investigation, said the store was persistently involved in “misleading” or “deceptive” pricing practices.

Acording to Mr Abdullahi, the agency launched an investigation of all Sahad Stores branches in Abuja on 8 January, following complaints about their alleged “misleading” pricing practices.

After the commission’s findings confirmed the allegation at the Garki branch of the store, Mr Abdullahi said, its officials were summoned to appear on 12 February “to discuss corrective measures,” but they failed to honour the invitation.

“However, the staff failed to appear without justification, raising concerns about potential violations under Section 33(3) of the FCCPC.

“Consequently, on February 16, 2024, FCCPC operatives visited Sahad Stores and confirmed through random checks that the deceptive practice did not only continue, but cashiers also charged prices at their discretion, leaving unsuspecting customers vulnerable to unfair pricing. Exercising its authority under Section 18(f), the Commission temporarily sealed the premises,” the statement said.

The statement, however, added that the store was reopened at 7 p.m. on Friday “following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices.”

Read FCCPC’s full statement below.

FCCPC Statement on SAHAD STORES TEMPORARY SEALING.

The (FCCPC) Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission conducted an on-the-spot check on Sahad Stores in Abuja on February 16, 2024, leading to the temporary closure of the store due to continued violations involving misleading pricing and lack of transparency.

Earlier, on January 8, 2024, the FCCPC investigated Sahad Stores following reports of misleading pricing practices. The investigation revealed that Sahad Stores displayed lower prices on shelves and charged higher prices at checkout, contravening Section 115 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

ALSO READ: Sahad Stores reopened hours after sealing off by FCCPC

The investigation included all Sahad Stores branches in Abuja to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issue and implement corrective measures across the entire chain.

The FCCPC promptly issued a summons to specific Sahad Stores staff, asking them to appear on February 12, 2024, to discuss corrective measures. However, the staff failed to appear without justification, raising concerns about potential violations under Section 33(3) of the FCCPA.

Consequently, on February 16, 2024, FCCPC operatives visited Sahad Stores and confirmed through random checks that the deceptive practice did not only continue, but cashiers also charged prices at their discretion, leaving unsuspecting customers vulnerable to unfair pricing. Exercising its authority under Section 18(f), the Commission temporarily sealed the premises.

However, following a mutual understanding and commitment from Sahad Stores to implement transparent pricing practices, the FCCPC reopened the store on February 16, 2024, at about 7:00 PM.

Businesses are expected to display transparent pricing information to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, especially during challenging economic times. The FCCPC remains committed to combating all forms of exploitative or misleading practices that undermine consumer rights. The FCCPA protects consumer rights and prohibits deceptive business practices. Section 115 outlines potential penalties for violations, including fines for organisations and imprisonment for directors.

The FCCPC encourages all businesses to adhere to fair and transparent pricing practices to ensure consumer protection and a healthy market environment.

Dr. Adamu Abdullahi
Ag. Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer