Retailers who do not display correctly the prices of their goods in euros will be named and shamed, a Minister pledged yesterday.
The Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt, urged businesses to display prices correctly in pounds and euros by subscribing to a "voluntary national code" between now and March 9th which allows them display in their premises an approved logo.
Businesses with a logo which does not display correct dual pricing would have their logo withdrawn by the office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Minister said.
"The greatest penalty on those who do not comply, and I strongly support it, is that the director of consumer affairs will take the logo from that person and that will be done. Effectively, that is a name and shame policy," he said.
Ms Carmel Foley, the director of consumer affairs, said 20 inspectors were working across the State to ensure compliance with the code. She said if logos were withdrawn, it would be done publicly.
"It seems to me that no reputable business wants to be seen to have the logo withdrawn or have customers complaining about them or having the media following up on such complaints. Retailers know they are under a microscope on this one and its not in their interest to have any problems arising," she said.
She added that any business, whether it subscribed to the voluntary code or not, could be investigated by her office for failing to display correct euro prices.
Ms Foley and Mr Kitt were speaking at the launch of a survey which showed the majority of retailers in the State were displaying correctly the price in euros for their goods.
The nationwide survey of close to 2,000 retailers was carried out last month by inspectors from Ms Foley's office. They found 96 per cent of euro dual pricing in shops was correct.
Ms Foley said the results should be of great comfort to consumers in the run-up to the euro changeover. The survey also found 98 per cent of till receipts and invoices had correct dual pricing and that 85 per cent of staff had a working knowledge of the euro.