JEDDAH: The director general of the Ministry of Commerce and Investment in Al-Jouf, Faisal Al-Ruwaili, has warned shopkeepers against taking advantage of the summer holiday period and the holy month of Ramadan by launching fake advertising campaigns to attract shoppers.
Al-Ruwaili said that fake advertising falls under the list of commercial irregularities because it involve offering shoppers fake discounts. This can result in the imposition of fines, and in some cases the closure of shops.
Al-Ruwaili added that observers and inspectors from the Al-Jouf branch of the ministry are carrying out a number of inspection tours of shops and commercial centers in response to reports from citizens to the ministry about violations committed by these shops.
"Specifically, the inspectors visited one of the commercial centers that sells children’s toys after receiving a report from a citizen about a large '70 percent off' sign advertising big discounts until the 17th day of Ramadan. However, observers noticed that the reduction of prices only included a few pieces with less than 70 percent off in total,” he added.
The owners of the stores in question were fined.
The official called on all shopkeepers to be transparent with their shoppers by putting the right numbers on their signs, and to state the specific price on each piece, saying that any violation of the law will be considered an attempt to cheat the customer, and that such an offense is punishable by law.
Al-Ruwaili said that fake advertising falls under the list of commercial irregularities because it involve offering shoppers fake discounts. This can result in the imposition of fines, and in some cases the closure of shops.
Al-Ruwaili added that observers and inspectors from the Al-Jouf branch of the ministry are carrying out a number of inspection tours of shops and commercial centers in response to reports from citizens to the ministry about violations committed by these shops.
"Specifically, the inspectors visited one of the commercial centers that sells children’s toys after receiving a report from a citizen about a large '70 percent off' sign advertising big discounts until the 17th day of Ramadan. However, observers noticed that the reduction of prices only included a few pieces with less than 70 percent off in total,” he added.
The owners of the stores in question were fined.
The official called on all shopkeepers to be transparent with their shoppers by putting the right numbers on their signs, and to state the specific price on each piece, saying that any violation of the law will be considered an attempt to cheat the customer, and that such an offense is punishable by law.
