The Polish competition authority has penalized Jeronimo Martins Polska, the operator of Biedronka stores, with a fine of approximately 105 million PLN due to misleading promotional practices during its 'Special Wednesday' and 'Valentine's Wednesday' campaigns.

Customers were enticed with the promise of a '100% return on voucher' but found the terms and conditions to be more complex than advertised. Many consumers were unaware of the limitations on how the vouchers could be used until after their purchases.

Complaints highlighted that the promotional products were often unrelated to the items eligible for voucher redemption, leading to confusion among shoppers. For instance, purchasing sausages would yield a voucher for fruits and vegetables, which was not clearly communicated in the advertisements.

Furthermore, essential details regarding the use of the vouchers, such as minimum spending requirements and product categories, were not adequately disclosed in the promotional materials, leading to consumer deception.

UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny emphasized that businesses must provide clear and timely information to consumers to avoid misleading them. The decision is not yet final, as Jeronimo Martins Polska has the right to appeal.