ACCC has accused supermarket giants of breaching consumer laws with alleged ‘price spike’ practices

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The competition regulator has taken Coles and Woolworths to court over what is commonly known as “was/is” comparative pricing.

The allegations, which Coles said it would defend and Woolworths said it would review, could result in large fines and unravel the supermarkets’ well-known “Down Down” and “Prices Dropped” promotions, which are at the heart of their marketing campaigns.