Basic prices in supermarkets are often hardly readable

Only 1 millimeter of writing

According to AK, the prices at the drugstore chain were the worst readable MüllerWhere the basic price for the examined goods was only 1 to 1.5 millimeters small and therefore contradicts the Price Drafting Act. Also with Lidl (2 millimeters) the basic prices are still very small and are not legible. According to AK, improvements compared to the last test were at the discount Hofer, where the basic prices were specified with a font size of 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters.

“It is unpleasant that it is now at Billa, billa more and Interspar There are also partial price signs, the basic prices of which have a font size of only 2 mm and are therefore not easy to read, “says the test report. This is mainly double price signs (two prices for two different products). For all other examined markets, the font size of the basic prices is between 3 and 4 millimeters, which is easy to read.

No or incorrect information

In the case of individual products, the basic price award was completely missing or the unit of measurement to which the basic price should refer was wrong. According to the law, the statement per liter should be given in the case of dishwashing detergent. In the online shop of DM However, only per 100 milliliters were awarded.

Another problem is still that some product categories within some shops two different units gives to which the basic price refers.

For example, cheese is at Billa and Hofer Both per kilogram and per 100 grams excellent, ice cream at Billa plus and Interspar Both per kilogram and per liter. At Billa, the basic price of non -alcoholic beer was awarded in two branches per 500 ml, but in a third branch per liter. This is all the more surprising because the price tags in all 3 branches were electronic price tags.

AK: “Result continued to be unsatisfactory”

“For us, the result is still unsatisfactory. The inflation continues to increase many people. If you want to compare prices, you need eagle eyes and a calculator due to different units of measurement,” said AK consumer protector Gabriele Zgubic.

The AK calls for improvements to the Prize Editing Act. The font size should be at least 4 millimeters and uniform information per product group, such as per liter or kilogram. Furthermore, the basic labeling principle should be extended to other products such as cotton pads or handkerchiefs – per 100 pieces.

Tested from January 27th and until February 20th in online shops and branches of Hofer, Lidl, Penny, Billa, Billa Plus, Spar, Interspar, Bipa, DM and Müller). The basic price award was examined for 30 groups of food and drinks as well as drugstores.

Pensioners’ Association: Mini-Schrift “Unacceptable”

On the occasion of the current AK study, the President of the Austrian Pensioners’ Association, also renewed Peter Kostelkahis demand for improvements in the Prize Editor Act: “That there is still in supermarkets there is unacceptable price awards, “says Kostelka to the courier.

Especially in times of inflation, people have to give people the opportunity to compare prices. But if you need a magnifying glass, you prevent conscious purchase decisions, “emphasizes Kostelka. The pensioner association calls for a minimum size of the basic price of 6 millimeters.” And that must be clearly regulated, strictly controlled and sanctioned in the event of violations, “Kostelka continues.

Commercial association plays the ball to manufacturers

For many products (e.g. meal ice), the trade is dependent on the manufacturers’ information, according to the trade association. This information (liter or gram) could even vary from the same producer. “You can always talk about further improvements, but we reject statutory re-sharpening,” says commercial association managing director Rainer Will.

The required minimum of four or six millimeters in the basic price award can be practically not implemented on all electronic price tags. “There is simply not so much space available on small signs.”