01.ACCC announces investigation
What are the retailers doing?
CHOICE welcomes the
ACCC's decision to investigate allegations of anti-competitive practices among fashion retailers.The allegations have received widespread media attention, with accusations of possible price-fixing.
Media reports indicate that international brands have succumbed to pressure from local retailers and will be increasing their online prices from Australian shoppers, or even locking them out of websites entirely.
Part of a broader problem
This comes in addition to the higher prices Australian consumers already pay on software, music downloads and electrical gadgets. Online retailers such as iTunes can detect Australian users and charge them higher prices for the exact same piece of music. CHOICE believes companies should not be able to unfairly prevent Australian shoppers from purchasing cheaper products online from overseas in this manner.
In pressuring international brands to increase prices for Australian customers, local fashion retailers may have breached Australian competition legislation.
For more Consumer news, see Media and news.
30 Apr 2012
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Federal Labor politicians are seeking answers as to why Australians pay more than shoppers overseas for products that are exactly the same.
11 Jan 2011
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CHOICE welcomes new legislation on country of origin claims, but believes the standards could be stronger.
26 May 2011
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In our submission to the Productivity Commission, CHOICE calls on importers, distributors and retailers to pass on savings enjoyed thanks to the strong Aussie dollar.
15 Dec 2011
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CHOICE has endorsed the Joint Consumer Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee inquiry into the proposed Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms.