Black Friday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday, major shopping events driven by significant discounts, are under scrutiny due to deceptive practices by online retailers. A recent investigation by the European Commission and consumer protection authorities across 23 EU member states, Iceland, and Norway, found that approximately 30% of online merchants engage in misleading discount practices during these sales. These practices include inflating original prices before applying discounts, creating a false impression of savings, and potentially adding items to customer carts without consent. The investigation highlights the need for increased transparency and stricter enforcement of consumer protection laws to ensure fair pricing and prevent deceptive marketing tactics during major sales events like Black Friday. This issue is particularly relevant now as Black Friday and the holiday shopping season drive a surge in online purchases, making consumers more vulnerable to such practices.