Home Depot to Pay Nearly $2 Million in Settlement Over Pricing Discrepancies #

A major home improvement retailer has agreed to pay almost $2 million to settle a civil enforcement claim in California. The company was accused of false advertising and unfair competition practices.

The complaint, filed in a Superior Court, alleged that customers were charged higher prices at checkout than what was displayed on shelf tags or item labels. These discrepancies are referred to as ‘scanner violations’.

While not admitting to any wrongdoing, the retailer will pay $1.7 million in civil penalties and an additional $277,251 to cover investigation costs and support future consumer protection law enforcement.

As part of the judgment, the company is required to implement a price accuracy program to prevent future discrepancies.

The civil penalties represent a small fraction of the company’s overall financial operations. Recently, the retailer announced plans to acquire a major building-projects supplier for $18.3 billion, highlighting its significant market presence.

This case underscores the importance of accurate pricing and the potential consequences for retailers who fail to maintain consistency between advertised and charged prices. It also demonstrates the ongoing efforts of consumer protection agencies to ensure fair practices in the marketplace.