A popular boxed mattress brand has agreed to alter its online sales practices following an investigation by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
The CMA raised concerns that the company, Simba Sleep, might have misled customers about price reductions and exerted undue pressure to make quick purchases. The investigation began in December, with the CMA expressing concerns that needed to be addressed. As a result, Simba Sleep has signed formal commitments known as undertakings.
Photo: Dreamstime.
The company has agreed to several key actions, including ensuring that any advertised discounts are genuine. Specifically, Simba Sleep will only use a 'was' price if they have actually sold a sufficient volume of the product at that price. Additionally, the company will make sure that any countdown clocks on their website are clear, prominently specify the applicable products, and do not falsely suggest that consumers must act quickly or that the price will revert to the 'was' price when the countdown ends.
This investigation is part of the CMA's broader effort to address potentially harmful online selling practices, particularly within the 'Online Choice Architecture' framework.
To promote fair practices, the CMA has published guidelines for traders in the online mattress sector, particularly concerning the use of price reduction claims. Simba Sleep must report to the CMA within the next six months to confirm compliance with the commitments made.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com