Supermarkets in Jos, the capital of Plateau State have been observed to be operating without price tags on their products, raising issues of transparency and consumer rights. The absence of price tags has left shoppers perplexed, as they are unable to ascertain the prices of items until they reach the checkout counter.
BusinessDay observed that several supermarkets across Jos have adopted this practice. Without clear pricing information, shoppers are left vulnerable to potential overcharging or discrepancies in billing, leading to a lack of trust in the retail establishments.
This lack of transparency has sparked discontent among patrons, who express their displeasure at the inconvenience and uncertainty it creates during their shopping experiences.
Many customers shared the same sentiments, emphasising the importance of clear and visible pricing for informed decision-making while shopping. The absence of price tags not only disrupts the shopping process but also raises concerns about potential overcharging or discrepancies in final bills.
They also voiced their concerns over the matter, emphasizing the importance of price transparency in retail environments. They argue that the absence of price tags not only violates consumer rights but also makes it difficult for shoppers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Many shoppers warn that operating without price tags could potentially enable supermarkets to engage in unfair pricing practices, taking advantage of consumers’ inability to compare prices easily.
One shopper expressed dismay, stating, “It’s incredibly frustrating not knowing how much you’re paying for something until you’re about to pay for it. It feels like we’re being kept in the dark about the true cost of items.”
For Musa Donald “the whole point of having price tags is to make shopping easier and more transparent. Without them, it feels like you’re at the mercy of whatever price the cashier decides to charge”.
“It’s incredibly frustrating not knowing how much items cost until you’re at the checkout, It makes budgeting difficult and leaves you wondering if you’re being charged fairly.” shares Aisha Ibrahim, a regular shopper at one of the affected supermarkets.
Despite customer complaints, supermarkets have offered little explanation for the lack of price tags, blaming unsteady price of goods in the market. However, these explanation provide little solace to customers who demand greater accountability and adherence to basic retail standards.
A supermarket owner in Jos South who refused to mention his name to BusinessDay simply said “it is not our fault, prices of goods increase everyday in the market so even we the shop owners don’t know how each item cost any longer that’s why we don’t put price on items again”.
As frustrations continue to mount, customers are calling on authorities to intervene and enforce regulations that mandate the clear display of prices in supermarkets. Until then, shoppers in Jos remain wary as they navigate the aisles, grappling with the uncertainty of unchecked pricing and hoping for a swift resolution to this vexing issue.
Reacting to the development in a telephone chat with BusinessDay on Monday in Jos, the Plateau State Commissioner for Commerce, Musa Sule expressed disappointment at supermarket owners across the state for failing to adhere to regulations requiring price tags on goods.
Sule emphasized the importance of transparency and consumer rights, highlighting that the absence of price tags could lead to confusion and exploitation of customers.
The commissioner however, assured both supermarket owners and consumers of collaboration and dialogue to rectify the situation. Promising to sit down with stakeholders, including supermarket representatives with an aim to find common ground and establish a harmonized approach to ensure compliance with pricing regulations while addressing any concerns raised by business owners.
The commissioner’s initiative underscores the Plateau state government’s commitment to fostering a fair and transparent business environment on the Plateau, prioritizing consumer protection and promoting ethical business practices.
As shoppers continue to navigate the challenges posed by the absence of price tags, the debate over consumer rights and retail ethics in Jos intensifies, with calls for action to protect the interests of consumers and uphold standards of fairness and transparency in the marketplace.
More so, as they await discussions between the government and supermarket owners, stakeholders anticipate constructive dialogue and effective solutions to address the issue at hand, benefiting both consumers and businesses alike.
