Fines of 1.5 million euros for 11 large retail chains, including Leroy Merlin, Attica and JYSK

Fines totaling €1,480,000 were imposed by the Ministry of Development on 11 companies following inspections carried out by the Interministerial Market Supervision Unit (DII.MEA) and the Consumer Protection Authority.

They concern violation of provisions about fictitious discounts and offers, as well as non-compliance with consumer legislation:

1. In accordance with Art. 15.2.1 Art. 15.1 of Federal Law No. 4177/2013, concerning the implementation of discounts and offers that are misleading to consumers, fines totaling 1,380,000 euros were imposed on seven companies.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 13a of Law no. 2251/1994, concerning the notification of the names of undertakings on which a fine of more than 50,000 euros has been imposed, the following fines are imposed:

• SGB ​​HELLENIC LTD (LEROY MERLIN) – 520,000 EURO
• ATTIKA POLYKATSTATIMATA – 300,000 EURO
• KOSMOS SPOR SA – 220,000 EURO
• JYSK SA – 120,000 EURO
• WEB SUPPLIES SA – 100,000 EURO
• APOTHEMA MON. .SA – 100,000 euros
• OTHER ENTERPRISES WITH ASSETS LESS THAN 50,000 EURO – 20,000 EURO.

2. For violations of the law. 2251 Law No. 2251/1994 on consumer protection, fines totaling €100,000 were imposed on four companies. In particular, a fine of 80,000 euros was imposed on PLAISIO COMPUTERS AEBE for the following violations:

• Delay in refund beyond the 14 calendar days required by law after the consumer cancels an online order.
• False information to consumers in the terms of use of the company’s online store about the right to unjustifiably refuse distance contracts within 14 calendar days from the date of receipt of the goods.
• Referring consumers to the trade assurance provider in the event that the goods do not comply with the terms of the contract and failure to fulfill their obligations in this regard.
• Abuse of transaction terms related to the terms of use of the company’s online store, such as:
  1. limitation of liability for hidden product defects;
  2. limiting the period within which the consumer must file a complaint or make a claim to the supplier;
  3. shifting the responsibility of the seller to the manufacturer of the product or another person.
• Providing false information about the availability, price, characteristics and delivery times of goods.

Development Minister Kostas Skrekas said: “Strict adherence to the rule of law by all is non-negotiable. Enforcement has been proven to be universal, intensive and effective. Unfair practices that distort consumer criteria are unacceptable and violators face heavy fines. We are not taking a step back in our efforts to ensure legal operating the entire supply chain in an environment of healthy competition, for the benefit of consumers and businesses themselves.”

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