The CMA continues to field COVID-19 complaints concerning refunds and previously widespread excessive prices on day-to-day products.

By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai

The CMA continues to respond to complaints from consumers on COVID-19-related issues. Consumers submitted more than 80,000 complaints through 28 June 2020, with the volume decreasing from 7,000 a week in May to 3,500 a week in June.

The CMA is concerned that businesses may be engaging in unfair practices in relation to cancellations and refunds, and unjustifiable price increases.

 By John D. Colahan and Anuj Ghai

Background

On 24 April 2020, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published an update on the work of its COVID-19 Taskforce (the Taskforce) (the Update Report). Shortly after establishing the Taskforce, the CMA launched an online service to allow businesses and consumers to report “unfair practices” related to COVID-19. The  Update Report summarises the nature and volume of complaints that the CMA has received so far and the actions it has taken in response. The CMA intends to publish additional reports while unfair practices related to COVID-19 persist.