JD Sports fined over prices

High Street favourite JD Sports was fined for displaying misleading prices at one of its stores.

The retailer, trading as JD Sports Fashion PLC, was fined £200 with £240 costs at Bangor Magistrates Court in Co Down, after pleading guilty to one offence under the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 of giving a misleading price indication to consumers at its sports store in the town.

The case was brought by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service (TSS) following a complaint by a consumer who alleged the store was falsely claiming savings of £40 on Nike air panel suits.

The clothing bore labels that stated “Was £89.99, Now £49.99”.

An investigation by Trading Standards found the clothing had never been on sale at the higher price.

TSS investigative officer Declan Brown said: “When using price comparisons during sales or other promotions traders must base savings on genuine previous prices. Retailers making price comparisons should ensure that they are fair, meaningful and do not mislead consumers.”

He added: “The Trading Standards Service will ensure that the necessary enforcement action will be taken against traders that are found to be engaged in such misleading practices.”