Trading Standards and Closing Down sales

Just a thought.....the document issued to franchisee's and managers at the 'closing down' sale meeting at the beginning of May....what would happen if a copy of that found its way to trading standards? Im suprised that a couple of the ex franchisee's havent sent that to TS once there stores were taken back!! What do you guys think the concequences would be?

Here is an extract just to show that Trading Standards don't take this type of marketing activity lightly. And more so if it is with the intention of disceving the general public. I'm sure they would be interested in the info;

Trading standards team investigates closing down sale at store

People with jobs in trading standards are investigating a store's closing down sale after it was given a recent refit.

Shoe Zone in Lincoln's High Street advertised price reductions, giving the impression that consumers only had a few days to purchase its items before it shut.

However, the Lincolnshire Echo reports that the store reopened just five days later, having had its floor repaired.

An investigation is now taking place by those with jobs in trading standards as the store misled the customers in thinking the shop was closing down.

Andy Bukavs, assistant head of Lincolnshire County Council's trading standards service, told the newspaper: "Consumer protection regulations prohibit businesses from advertising that they are 'closing down' when in actual fact they are not."

He added: "When we receive information about such practices, we investigate the matter."

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 specifies that claiming the business is about to cease trading or move premises when it is not is considered unfair.

It also states that falsely stating a product is only available for a limited amount of time breaches trading legislation.

Hope this guides you in the right direction

Big Phil

Carpetright complained to trading standards about some stores with elongated closing down sales. United carpets changed the promotion to something more normal in these cases. How many stores advertising closing down now.united carpets franchise.

Every store moans about every stores business practices, in the hope that they will get a competitive advantage if trading standards starts to poke about. But as you are probably aware these guys are busy guys with small departments and do not pay much attention to other competitors moaning as normally it's on false info. that said should some info come from UC franchisee past or present that would make the difference as this would be something tangible for them to go on.

It's common knowledge these activities go on, and in the main unchecked. But when given evidence from the inside they are duty bound to act upon it.

Big Phil