The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is suing supermarket chain Coles in the Federal Court, alleging its ‘Down Down’ campaign misled customers about the pricing of over 200 products between February 2022 and May 2023.
The landmark case represents the first time allegations of supermarket price gouging during a cost of living crisis have been tested in the courts.
Coles, which faces significant fines if it loses the case, has strongly denied the claims, arguing inflationary pressures drove initial price spikes before products were discounted.
The ACCC launched the case in September 2024, alongside a separate proceeding against Woolworths, alleging that both had violated consumer law by misleading shoppers on hundreds of popular supermarket items.
In a statement released after the ACCC announced its case, Coles said the initial price rises occurred because it “was receiving a large number of cost price increases from our suppliers and, in addition, Coles’ own costs were rising, which led to an increase in the retail price of many products”.
Learn more here: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/accc-coles-misleading-discounts-allegations-federal-court-case/92p7elywx
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