The Daily Telegraph
March 13, 2012
SHOPPER docket discounts for fuel may be banned as a result of an investigation by Australia’s consumer watchdog.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is looking into the impact of the discounts on independent service stations, with a view to cracking down on the practice if necessary.
In a letter to the Motor Trades Association of Queensland, ACCC enforcement operations manager Scott Gregson said it was seeking information from a number of independent fuel retailers “particularly affected by the fuel shopper docket arrangements”.
The information being sought includes the volume and value of fuel sales during specific shopper docket promotions and whether the retailers changed their prices to match those of Coles and Woolworths outlets.
The MTAQ sought an investigation following a summer discounting war between the retail giants.
Chairman of the Service Stations and Convenience Store Association of Queensland Tim Kane said it was now up to the ACCC to do its job.
“For too long the ACCC has stood back and watched as service stations have closed and prices have gone crazy,” Mr Kane said.
The ACCC inquired into shopper docket petrol discounts in 2004 and decided to allow the arrangements to continue. It found there were “benefits to consumers”.
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