Commission to probe supermarket 'specials' promotion

A complaint about the "special" price of dog food at a Countdown supermarket has prompted a flood of similar claims. Photo / Bruce Clarke

A complaint about the "special" price of dog food at a Countdown supermarket has prompted a flood of similar claims.

This week the Commerce Commission launched an investigation into Progressive Enterprises-owned supermarket Countdown after allegations it had been advertising specials on products not discounted.

Last month Wellington shopper Andy noticed Purina dog food was advertised as a "special" for $23.99, though its original price was also $23.99.

"These 'special' tags are identical to all other special tags throughout the store, indicating discounted goods - except that these ones do not have any discount," he wrote to Consumer New Zealand.

Another shopper, John Murphy, said he found biscuits advertised as two for $5, or $2 each at Countdown.

Karina Mcdell said two packs of buns were on special for $7, yet the original price of one pack was $3.50.

Consumer New Zealand chief executive Sue Chetwin said Countdown initially said the dog food incident was a case of human error and it was going to address that.

"But ... even on our Facebook page there were people saying they'd seen price irregularities as well, so the Commerce Commission said after that, they would have a look. Now it's obviously been enough for them to say actually we do think we need to investigate pricing."

Countdown's Luke Schepen said the company would co-operate fully with the commission.