Retail stores in Malawi have been issued with a stern caution for tricking and duping consumers.
The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has condemned the tendency by some retail chain stores to withhold change from consumers or offer them sweets instead of change.
This is according to a statement from CFTC signed by its Executive Director Charlotte Wezi Malonda.
The commission says the practice by some retailers of withholding change from consumers or offering them sweets in lieu of money in denominations of K1, K5, K10, K20 is unfair, unreasonable and unconscionable.
CFTC says the practice leaves consumers worse off than they were before the transaction.
“All retailers have an obligation to have all denominations of Malawi’s legal tender to facilitate fair trading conditions for consumers and the market at large,” reads part of the press release made available to Malawi24.
Section 43(1)(g) of the Competition and Fair Trading Act makes it an offence for any person to engage in unconscionable conduct in carrying out trade in goods and services.
The commission has since warned that appropriate penalties will be imposed on any retailer found withholding change from consumers or offering them sweets instead of change.
