Published
Published 14. 05. 2024
The long-awaited new Consumer Protection Act was approved on 24 April 2024 and will come into force on 1 July 2024
From this date onwards, there should be no more artificial price increases before Black Friday and subsequent fake discounts. For a product with a long-term price tag of EUR 90, we should no longer see a 60% discount on Black Friday at a price of EUR 80.
How will this work? If a retailer gives a discount, the lowest price for at least the last 30 days should be the original price.
However, the obligation only applies to tangible movable goods. This means that the restriction does not apply to
intangibles (e.g. e-books); and
Further, the obligation does not apply to gradual price reductions. For it, the original price of the goods can be quoted.
Does this mean that it will no longer be possible to show the original highest price for discounts, but only the lowest price for at least the last 30 days? In our opinion, no. It should still be possible to display the original price in addition to the lowest price over the last 30 days.
Will the new Consumer Protection Act mean the end of what appear to be discounts? Probably not. Will it limit them? Probably yes.
