The main highlights of the ministerial decision, issued by HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, include the classification of discounts into two categories.
The first category includes special discounts relating, for instance, to festivals and special events that take place in malls, for a day or more, and target specific loyal customers registered by shops regardless of their nomenclature.
The ministerial decision also authorises discounts over 50% and stipulates that special discount days shall not be deducted from seasonal discount days.
The second category, as defined by the ministerial decision, is general discounts such as seasonal discounts, which are now permitted over a one-month period rather than 21 days. General discounts over 50% are also now permitted.
The ministerial decision also protects consumers’ rights by respecting their religious values, customs, and traditions, and restricting the announcement of discounts to one day prior to the date specified in the license. Discount ads shall also be free from exaggerations and misleading or deceptive claims to consumers.
To protect consumers from misleading advertising, the percentage of goods and services covered by the minimum discount announced on the shop’s front and premises should not cover less than 20% of the total goods and services subject to discount.
In case of any violation, the ministerial decision stipulates that the ministry has the right to cancel the license, to suspend discounted sales for the remaining period, and to remove all related advertising.
The ministry has also the right to abstain from granting the shop that committed the violation a license to offer discounts. The ministerial decision states that shops and commercial establishments can apply for a special discount and general discount license electronically by applying at www.mec.gov.qa.
The Ministry of Economy announced on Sunday the issuance of Decision No 311 of 2018 regarding the sales at discounted prices.
