Uzbekistan tightens rules to prevent fake discounts in retail trade

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved new rules governing sales, discounts, and other promotional campaigns, according to a resolution dated 21 October published on Lex.uz.

Amendments to the Retail Trade Regulations concern the organization of promotional campaigns, including discounts, raffles, sales, and contests. In particular, sellers must clearly and transparently communicate the terms of each promotion, including:

• its duration;
• the names (or series) of the products involved;
• the quantity of goods offered;
• purchase requirements and other essential details.

During the campaign period, sellers are obliged to provide the promised discounts, bonuses, and other benefits, and to ensure price information is accurate. Changing the terms of the promotion after it begins is prohibited.

Specific rules apply to discounts and sales. The pre-discount price displayed on a label must correspond to the lowest price of that product within the 30 days preceding the start of the promotion. Agricultural products are exempt from this requirement.

Sellers must clearly indicate the discount amount – either as a percentage or a monetary value – and, upon request, provide customers with accurate and documented information about the product’s price history prior to the sale.

Artificially inflating prices and then presenting the original price as a “discounted” one is strictly prohibited. Such practices will be considered misleading to consumers.

Businesses are also required to specify the duration of discounts or any additional conditions for receiving them. If the discounted stock is limited, seasonal, or linked to the product’s condition (such as clearance of old stock, damaged packaging, or approaching expiration date), this must be clearly communicated to customers.

The Competition Committee first presented the draft resolution on regulating sales and promotional activities in June this year. The watchdog cited international practices in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, China, South Korea, and Japan in combating “artificial discounts.”