GNM

Target agrees to pay $3.9 million in false advertising lawsuit

Prosecutors allege the retailer charged higher prices than advertised

Target has agreed to pay nearly $4 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Northern California prosecutors that alleged the retailer charged higher prices than advertised, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The lawsuit also alleges the Minneapolis-based company misrepresented the weights of products and failed to ensure that price scanners at checkout stands were accurate.

Target was ordered to pay $3.9 million to settle the lawsuit filed in Marin County, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Marin County District Attorney Ed Berberian said his office filed the lawsuit in conjunction with counterparts in Contra Costa, Fresno, Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties, and the San Diego city attorney’s office.

“A fundamental consumer right is to be charged no more than the lowest advertised price. Consumers should always notify retailers immediately when they are being overcharged and demand to be charged only the lowest advertised price,” Berberian said.

Target spokesman Evan Lapiska said some of the problems stemmed from promotional signs not being removed immediately after a promotion ended and the company has taken steps to fix that and other problems.

Target, the second-largest discount retailer in the U.S., also agreed to increase the number and frequency of price-accuracy audits at California stores, train its employees to make sure prices are accurate and hire an outside auditor to make sure weights are accurate in Target-branded products.

“Any guest who feels she or he was overcharged for an item should bring their receipt to the guest service desk, where any pricing inaccuracies will be resolved,” Lapiska said.

Brands Articles

30 Under 30 is back with a new name, new outlook

No more age limit! The New Establishment brings 30 Under 30 in a new direction, starting with media professionals.

Diageo’s ‘Crown on the House’ brings tasting home

After Johnnie Walker success, Crown Royal gets in-home mentorship

Survey says Starbucks has best holiday cup

Consumers take sides on another front of Canada's coffee war

KitchenAid embraces social for breast cancer campaign

Annual charitable campaign taps influencers and the social web for the first time

Heart & Stroke proclaims a big change

New campaign unveils first brand renovation in 60 years

Best Buy makes you feel like a kid again

The Union-built holiday campaign drops the product shots

Volkswagen bets on tech in crisis recovery

Execs want battery-powered cars, ride-sharing to 'fundamentally change' automaker

Simple strategies for analytics success

Heeding the 80-20 rule, metrics that matter and changing customer behaviors

Why IKEA is playing it up downstairs

Inside the retailer's Market Hall strategy to make more Canadians fans of its designs