MP Criticises Furniture Shops for Running 'Endless Sales'

David Taylor MP has criticised furniture shops for running "endless" sales and promotions that leave customers unsure of whether they are getting a good deal.

David Taylor told MPs in the House of Commons that some "discounts" run by furniture shops ran for such a long time that it was impossible for people to know how much money, if any, they were saving. Such "perma-sale" tactics rushed people into buying, the North West Leicestershire MP argued.

He said: "Typically the sale periods will be extended and 50% discounts, even double mark-downs, will be offered to the public. The discounted products are virtually impossible to find retailing at the full price.

"So there is no way of knowing whether the undiscounted price represents a real saving for the potential consumer or whether it is just a cynical, deceitful 'come-on'."

Mr Taylor admitted that legislation for preventing misleading marketing and sales practices – Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations – was in place. But he argued that such powers had been used only once to prosecute a business.

The Advertising Standards Authority had twice upheld complaints last year against DFS for making claims about half-price products in TV commercials, he said, ruling that they were "misleading".One advert claimed there were only "a few days to go" if customers wanted to buy discounted items.

"The consumer has no idea whether that is accurate, but is clearly being pressurised into making a snap decision to purchase rather than an informed choice," said Mr Taylor.

The MP said sales should be more regulated. In France retailers can offer reduced prices only at certain times of year, he said, while in Belgium there are two annual sale periods followed by "black-outs" when no discounts can be made.

Ends