shopper customer

The Institute of Promotional Marketing has warned that Tesco could be fined for overcharging customers in a promotions scandal exposed by the BBC this week.

Speaking after it emerged customers had been overcharged because of out of date promotional offers being left on shelf at dozens of stores, IPM MD Carey Trevill said the cases made “a mockery” of Tesco’s claim to offer transparent prices. The case “raises serious concerns not only for consumers but for way Tesco are operating,” she said.

The IPM said it had long had an issue with supermarket compliance with brand-led activity in stores, but the revelation this was happening with price promotions took the issue to a new level.

“Trading Standards should be looking at this problem as mis-selling is a serious issue and we would expect fines to be introduced,” said Trevill.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We are extremely disappointed with these findings and would like to apologise unreservedly to our customers. We have since conducted a comprehensive review of our processes in store.”