Dozens of charges have been laid against hardware chain Bunnings, alleging it's misled its customers with it's 'lowest price guarantee'.
The Commerce Commission has filed 45 charges against Bunnings NZ, accusing it of misleading by advertising the prices of its goods as being the lowest in the market.
The commission says the advertising at its stores nationwide along with television, radio, online, newspapers and catalogues campaigns between 2014 and 2016 gave an overall impression that it offered the lowest prices for its products, when this was not true.
The case is being called to Auckland District Court on March 7.
Bunnings price guarantee states its policy is to beat a competitors price by 15 per cent on an identical product if it's cheaper than it is in a Bunnings' store.
Bunnings said it is disappointed.
"We disagree with the Commerce Commission's view of our lowest prices policy and will defend our highly competitive price guarantee," said Jacqui Coombes, NZ general manager in a statement emailed to BusinessDesk.
Ms Coombes said the company would continue the policy, backed up by "behind the scenes" processes and procedures.
"We remain absolutely committed to creating more value for New Zealand consumers and believe in the right of all businesses to compete on price," she said.
Bunnings New Zealand is headquartered in Auckland and its parent company is Australia's Wesfarmers.
It has 46 retail stores nationwide, all of which it owns and operates. It employs 3,700 staff and stores stock on average 46,000 product lines, according to the Commerce Commission.
