[Published on Friday, August 15, 2025]
BY MORRIS NAFU
Bulk Shop, a household name for grocery shopping in Honiara, has been issued with a warning from the Consumer and Price Control authority.
This is for ‘misleading discrepancy between the price displayed on a product and the price charged in the shop by the cashier’, a statement by the Consumer Affairs and Price Control Division within the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration earlier this week said.
Bulk Shop in a Facebook statement admitted this occurrence as an ‘oversight’ which it is continuing to address in cooperation with relevant authorities.
In its statement, the price control authority highlighted that such misleading conduct violates Section 24 of the Consumer Protection Act.
Penalties for a first offence can reach up to $10,000 or result in imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Geoffrey Dan Hou’ua, director of the Consumer Affairs and Price Control Department (CAPCD), noted that discrepancies between shelf prices and checkout prices is a persistent issue faced by many shoppers.
“All traders must ensure that the price they display matches the price they charge at the point of sale,” he stated.
He emphasised that displaying a lower price than what is charged at the register misleads consumers and could constitute a breach of the Consumer Protection Act of 1995.
Hou’ua cited a specific instance involving Bulk Shop, where a price reduction was advertised for a frozen product, but customers were charged the original, a higher price at checkout.
“Consumers make their buying decisions based on the prices displayed on the products. They have a right to accurate information about what price they will be charged by the cashier,” he said.
The CAPCD is actively investigating traders who may engage in misleading practices, the statement said.
Consumers experiencing similar issues are encouraged to contact the office at 24616 or visit them at the Mokolo Building, third floor.
Meanwhile in response, Bulk Shop management said they appreciate customers’ concerns and take full responsibility for the oversight issue.
“While we regularly offer price drops and specials to provide greater value to our customers, we occasionally make mistakes in their implementation.”
Also noted is that Bulk Shop has taken action in addressing the issue and management has met with relevant ministries with regards to the issue and continues to work together with the Ministry to address the issue.
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