CMA launches grocery unit pricing review
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a review of unit pricing practices online and in-store in the groceries sector.
In a statement, the CMA said it was making the move to help shoppers spot the best value for money.
George Lusty, senior director for consumer protection at the CMA said: “We know that the increased cost of living has hit the pound in people’s pockets.
“That’s why we’re pressing on with this important grocery unit pricing work to ensure shoppers can more easily compare prices and make choices that are right for them.”
The initiative follows the 2015 Groceries Super-complaint where the CMA considered pricing and promotional practices in the groceries market and concluded that complexities and inconsistencies with unit pricing may prevent people from spotting which deal gives them the best value.
The CMA said this latest project is at an early stage and that it has not yet formed a view on the issues. An update will be provided later in 2023.
Sue Davies, Which? head of food policy, said: “Grocery prices are a huge concern as households all over the country grapple with the cost of living crisis, so it’s timely and important for the CMA to be looking at whether prices are clearly and fairly displayed at the supermarket.
“We know poor, inconsistent and sometimes missing price information is a problem and that’s why Which? is campaigning for pricing transparency from supermarkets, so that shoppers can easily work out which products are the best value.”
