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Five furnishing chains agree to change pricing practices following OFT investigation

Published: 21 March 2014
Carpetright and four other firms were all subject to the pricing investigation by the Office of Fair Trading.
Five furnishing chains agree to change pricing practices following OFT investigation
The five retailers, Carpetright, SCS, Dreams, Furniture Village and Homestyle Operations' brands Harveys and Bensons for Beds, have confirmed their commitment to using genuine reference prices and will face no liability.

The OFT found the chains were using reference prices to advertise discounts which misled the customer, for example where the discounted price is in fact the normal retail price of the product.

OFT director of the goods and consumer group, Gaucho Rasmussen, said: "Retailers advertise bargains and discounts by referring to a previous or future higher price. It's a powerful marketing tool which, when used properly, provides a helpful and easy way to demonstrate to shoppers the value of discounts and savings.

"We are therefore pleased that these retailers have confirmed their commitment to using genuine prices."

The OFT believes consumers should be able to trust advertised comparison prices, knowing that they are fair, meaningful and genuine.

In January two other flooring firms, United Carpets and Floors2Go, agreed to change their pricing practices after an OFT investigation.

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