Ministry of Commerce sets 9 rules for commercial discounts

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Commerce has unveiled a set of nine rules aimed at preventing misleading and deceptive discounts in both physical stores and online platforms. The regulations are designed to protect consumers from fraudulent offers. According to the ministry's announcement on its X account, businesses and online retailers must first obtain a license before promoting any discounts. This license must be prominently displayed, allowing consumers to verify its authenticity through scanning a barcode.

The rules enforce businesses to offer genuine, licensed discounts and refrain from deceptive pricing practices. The exact percentage of the discount must be clearly stated and visibly visible to consumers. The ministry also mandates that price tags on discounted products should display both the original price and the discounted price.

Promoters are required to disclose their exchange and return policies during promotional periods. They must comply with product guarantees provided by manufacturers for items included in promotional offers. The rules further adhere to advertising regulations specific to e-commerce. Importantly, the regulations ensure that consumers have the freedom to choose products without being coerced into promotional deals.