Tesco Ireland pleads guilty to failing to correctly display Clubcard prices

Tesco Ireland Limited yesterday pleaded guilty to two sample counts of failing to comply with consumer protection law in how they displayed the price of products offered at a promotional price to Clubcard holders.

Judge Anthony Halpin applied the Probation Act. Tesco were ordered to pay the legal costs of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and a donation of €1,000 to the Little Flower Penny Dinners charity.

The case follows an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the statutory body responsible for enforcing and promoting compliance with consumer protection law in Ireland.

Tesco broke the law by failing to include unit pricing on Tesco Clubcard promotional shelf-edge labels.

The breaches were identified during a CCPC inspection in August 2023.

Consumers shopping for groceries have to quickly evaluate a wide range of factors when deciding what products offer the best value for their money.

Supermarkets are legally required to show unit pricing to make that process easier for consumers.

Displaying the price per kilo, litre or metre allows consumers to compare the cost of similar products sold in different sizes.

It also prevents consumers from being misled by packaging or discounts into paying more for less.

The CCPC encourages consumers to check the unit prices when they shop and make a report to the CCPC where they are not provided.