UK chain stores with outlets in Ireland are ripping off their Irish customers across a range of products including foodstuffs, electronics, furniture and other household goods, according to Fine Gael.
The party’s deputy leader and spokesman on finance, Richard Bruton, made the claim in light of a new survey for Fine Gael’s consumer website, www.ripoff.ie, among five UK high street stores with branches in Ireland.
The price survey took place over the week beginning January 20 and examined a random basket of goods available to both Irish and British customers of Tesco, Habitat, Argos, Marks & Spencer and Dixons.
The goods compared in both jurisdictions were identical in every respect.
“Irish customers of some UK chain stores are being ripped off, with Irish prices up to 87pc dearer than the UK based counterpart – for the exact same product,” said Bruton.
According to the survey, a basket of five goods in Tesco in Ireland was 43pc dearer on average than in the UK, while Habitat hit their Irish customers for a 25pc price hike.
Customers in Argos here in Dublin have to pay 18pc more than their UK counterparts. “Marks & Spencer and Dixons prices are virtually identical in both countries – so there is no obvious reason for the rip-off,” said Bruton.
“So the clear message from this particular price survey is that Irish consumers are unnecessarily being ripped off by some UK chain stores. If two of the participants in our survey can offer Irish consumers the same prices as their UK customers then the others should be able to follow suit,” he added.
He called for transparent pricing displays so that shoppers can have full information on what they are buying. He also said that Irish customers should vote with their feet and take their business elsewhere.
“The Government also have a role to play. Rather than simply pay lip service to the needs of the consumer they should actively be supporting the establishment of a consumer price portal that gives the public free and ready access to price and other relevant information,” he said.
From businessworld.ie