A total of 19 traders have been issued with infringement notices while 12 have been verbally warned by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission for unethical practices such as false advertising and price hikes between 26th October and the 4th of this month.

A total of 287 trader inspections have been conducted throughout Fiji of which 86% of traders have been found to be in compliance with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Act.

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has also noted that items that are in demand for Diwali such as ghee, semolina, sultanas among others face price hikes as traders are aware that consumers during this festival will purchase such products.

The Commission has through its media monitoring and inspections also found that a handful of traders have been engaging in bait advertising and price advantage.

The Commission is urging consumers that if they come across instances where they find that the prices of specific items related to the festival have significantly risen, then they are encouraged to report such incidents to them.