Consumer advocates accuse Aldi of sloppiness.
In many cases, the discounter is supposed to display the basic prices incorrectly on the shelves.
But apparently Aldi is not an isolated case.
Hamburg / Essen - Aldi is said to be extremely sloppy when it comes to the legally prescribed price labeling.
At least that is what the consumer association Hamburg accuses the discounter.
The consumer advocates consider the grievance so serious that they are suing a regional company of Aldi Nord.
What is it actually about?
According to the Price Indication Ordinance, a retailer has to state the so-called basic price in addition to the sales price for almost all foods.
This relates to one kilogram or liter of the product.
For weights up to 250 grams, it can be related to 100 grams or 100 milliliters.
Consumer advice center sued Aldi: spot checks in markets bring many violations to light
Based on the basic price, consumers are able to compare the prices of products from different manufacturers, even if they are on the shelves in different quantities.
But you have to have good eyesight.
According to a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), the basic price must be “easily recognizable”, “clearly legible” or “otherwise easily perceptible” in the immediate vicinity of the final price.
But a letter height of just under two millimeters is sufficient.
The consumer advice center accuses Aldi of systematically violating this price regulation.
The allegation is based on random samples in five Hamburg Aldi branches, in which over 100 irregularities were found.
There were 30 violations in one market alone.
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Consumer advocates accuse Aldi of systematically violating the Price Indication Ordinance
© Waldmüller / www.imago-images.de
Consumer center sued Aldi: "sloppiness with a system"
Missing base prices, incorrect base prices, missing and incorrect price tags, occasional misleading information on price reductions and confusing information with sample prices on the price tag are criticized.
"The sloppiness apparently has a system," said the consumer advocates.
Specifically, the lawsuit concerns a vegan cold cut that was sold in a 70-gram plastic pack in at least two Hamburg Aldi branches without a base price on the price tag.
Since the discounter refused to sign a cease and desist declaration for the missing basic prices, the consumer center brought an action before the Itzehoe regional court.
Consumer association sued Aldi: Discounter rejects allegations
Aldi Nord sees itself wrongly in the pillory.
According to Die
Welt
, the discounter rejects the allegations “in all clarity”.
"Here we are bluntly accused of deliberate and systematic deception of our customers in the price labeling," the newspaper quotes from a statement.
But in the entire area of Aldi Nord with more than 2,200 stores, the company did not receive any customer complaints on this subject.
Since the complaint has not yet been served, it is not yet possible to comment on the content.
This is not the first time that Aldi Nord is in trouble because of the pricing.
The discounter was already criticized at the beginning of April for “sample prices” in the fruit and vegetable range.
Aldi is suing the consumer association: Other retailers are also supposed to mislead basic prices
Other dealers shouldn't be too particular about the basic price.
“Missing or incorrect basic price labeling is considered a minor offense in retail.
The supermarkets and discounters know that practically no one controls the basic prices and enforces the legal provisions, ”said the Hamburg consumer center.
List of rubric lists: © Waldmo¼ller via www.imago-images.de
