-Consumer & Price Control goes hard on stores selling goods at prices exceeding legal limit
BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
Consumer Affairs and Price Control Division (CAPCD) is getting tough on shops who fail to respect the 2025 Price Control Order.
This week, CAPCD issued a warning to Hanter Shop, a well-known store at the Town Ground Plaza in Honiara, that was selling consumer goods at prices which exceeded the maximum prices permitted in the Price Control Order.
The Order was published on March 20, 2025.
In an interview with Island Sun, Director for Consumer Affairs and Price Control Division, Geoffrey Dan Hou’ua said Solomon Islands has a law that regulates prices of good and at the same time, protects customers.
He explained that the maximum prices of goods are set out in the Price Control Order 2025.
“All traders are required to sell goods at, or below, the maximum prices set out in the Price Control Order.
“In the case of Hanter Shop, CAPCD Officers found the shop selling Mamei Chicken Luncheon (72x198g) at $9 and Kino Washing Powder (20x400g) at $7 which exceeded the prices permitted in the Price Control Order 2025. Maximum retail prices for the goods under the Price Control Order 2025 are $6 per packet for the Kino washing powder and $7.50 per tin for the Mamei Luncheon Meat,” Hou’ua said.
He said a warning has been issued to the shop to revise its prices in accordance to the Price Control Order 2025.
“In circumstances like this, only the court can determine if a breach of the Consumer Protection Act has occurred. We will present our case and the courts will decide based on evidence provided,” Hou’ua said.
He said the Consumer Affairs and Price Control unit is enforcing its mandates stipulated under the Price Control Order 2025.
Hou’ua calls on the general public to reach out to the CAPCD if they face similar incidents in the future.
Selling goods at a price above the maximum wholesale or retail prices as set out in the Price Control Order is a breach of Section 20 of the Consumer Protection Act.
The maximum penalty for breaching the act for a first offence is $10,000 or imprisonment for period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.
In the case of a subsequent offence, the maximum fine is $20,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
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