Supermarket pricing errors cost NZers millions a year
The consumer organisation said shoppers were too often being stung at the checkout and paying more than the advertised shelf price for items.
New World and Pak'n Save owner, Foodstuffs said it took pricing accuracy seriously and had invested in systems and staff training to reduce errors. RNZ has approached Woolworths for comment.
Consumer NZ chief Jon Duffy said pricing errors might seem small for individuals but the practice was costing New Zealanders tens of millions of dollars a year.
He said the government needed to step in and a petition had been launched calling for tougher penalties for breaches of the Fair Trading Act.
Consumer also wanted to see the introduction of a manadatory pricing accuracy code to hold supermarkets to account for errors and automatic compensation for shoppers who were overcharged.
Duffy told
Morning Report
a recent Consumer survey found 62 percent of shoppers noticed pricing errors over the past year.
"This isn't okay, particularly at a time when people are struggling to pay their bills," he said.
"It's already illegal for businesses to mislead consumers about prices, but the current law is not forcing supermarkets to up their game."
A Foodstuffs spokesperson said the company had invested heavily in better systems, daily checks, and electronic shelf labels to reduce errors.
"Our policy is that if a customer is overcharged, they get a refund of that product and get to keep the product. We've also strengthened staff training and store processes to ensure pricing is clear, accurate, and fair."
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