Lowest-prices policy set to continue.
Bunnings has pleaded not guilty to the 45 charges of false and misleading advertising filed against it by the New Zealand Commerce Commission, according to local media reports.
Bunnings NZ general manager Jacqui Coombes told media, “We disagree with the Commerce Commission’s view of our lowest-price policy and will defend our highly competitive price guarantee. We would like to reassure customers that we will continue our lowest-prices policy along with our comprehensive business processes and procedures operating behind the scenes to back this up.”
As previously reported by Appliance Retailer, the charges relate to advertising between June 1, 2014 and February 28, 2016 across print, radio, and television campaigns, as well as its website, in-store signs, and staff uniforms. Each of the 45 offences has a maximum fine of $600,000, potentially totalling $27 million.
Slogans used in Bunnings’ ads that were found to be “false and misleading” during this time period, include:
- “Lowest prices are just the beginning…”
- “Bunnings has the lowest price on everything you need.”
- “Everything is at the lowest price guaranteed.”
- “We’ve got the widest range and the lowest prices”.
The case will be heard at the Auckland District Court on May 17, 2017.