MEC slaps fines and cancels licences of retail outlets in malls for flouting norms
Qatar’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has always been strict when it comes to inspection of shops and punishment of errant ones.
The MEC carried out surprise checks on several shops inside shopping malls yesterday and penalised them for various irregularities, reported Gulf Times.
The ministry said it conducted the surprise inspection campaign in a bid to monitor the compliance of retail outlets with their obligations on discounted sales. The initiative resulted in the imposition of seven fines for missing Arabic labels and violations pertaining to discounts and promotion licences, the newspaper said.
The inspection campaigns came within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities as well as to crack down on price manipulation and uncover violations in a bid to protect consumer rights, reported The Peninsula.
The Ministry withdrew the licenses of three outlets that violated the terms of the discount and promotion license granted by the Ministry.
The inspectors stressed that retail outlet owners should adopt the ‘Shop with Confidence’ mark before announcing discounts and promotional offers. The mark should be placed on invoices given to customers, as it informs the consumers that the shop has obtained the required licence from the MEC and that the promotions and discounts are in line with legal regulations, said Qatar Tribune.
