The Auckland District Court has imposed fines totaling $580,500 on two Pak’nSave supermarkets after they pleaded guilty to multiple charges of inaccurate pricing, violating the Fair Trading Act.

Commerce Commission Deputy Chair Anne Callinan emphasized the importance of accurate pricing, stating that consumers must be able to trust that the price displayed matches the price charged at the checkout. The fines were specifically $234,000 for Pak’nSave Silverdale and $346,500 for Pak’nSave Mill Street.

The Commission is currently reviewing the Fair Trading Act, advocating for increased penalties and a shift to a civil regime that would allow for fines up to $5 million per breach. This change aims to enhance deterrence and promote compliance among supermarkets.

Ongoing investigations into the grocery sector include a case against Woolworths NZ, which has pleaded not guilty to similar charges, and proceedings against Foodstuffs North Island and Gilmours for alleged cartel conduct. The Commission remains committed to holding major supermarkets accountable for their pricing practices.