ACCC wins case against online retailer Ozdirect

THE competition watchdog has won its case against online retailer Ozdirect Online Brands and its director Paul Albright for misleading and deceptive conduct but the parties will have to wait until 2010 for the judge’s final orders.

Despite this win, customers who have lost money buying from the Ozdirect site will still have to take private action against the company if they are owed money, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said.

Read more about Ozdirect at news.com.au.

Coles axes discount petrol offer

COLES has spiked a 40c-per-litre petrol discount offer after the competition watchdog said it might reduce competition in the retail petrol industry.

Coles Express had been planning to offer the discounts of 40c-per-litre to customers who purchased more than $300 at Coles between today and October 29.

Read more about discount petrol and Coles at news.com.au.

Desperate jobseekers fooled by fake ads

AN IT training company that lured candidates with the promise of “guaranteed jobs” has been banned from making false and misleading claims under threat of jail for its directors.

Read more about the fake job offer at news.com.au.

Australian Bush Hat Co banned from touting ‘Aussie-made’ hats

THEY call themselves The Australian Bush Hat Co and their headwear features an Australian map along with a tag saying “Manufactured in Australia”.

The only problem is the hats were actually made in India and imported into Australia for trimming and finishing, according to the consumer watchdog.

The Australian Bush Hat Co has now been banned from making “misleading country of origin claims” about its hats, after action taken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Read more about The Australian Bush Hat Co at news.com.au.

Coles, Woolworths must allow competitors in shopping centres

CHANGES today could mean cheaper grocery prices with Coles and Woolworths banned from restricting competition in shopping centres.

The breakthrough, brokered by the competition watchdog, means that the Coles and Woolworths will no longer be able to demand that shopping centres not lease out space to competitors.

The deal means that the big two supermarket chains will begin to lose the monopoly positions they enjoy in many shopping centres, said Professor Michael Beverland, a lecturer in marketing from RMIT University.

Read more about supermarkets and shopping centres at news.com.au.

Ozdirect ordered to curb conduct

THE competition watchdog has won a temporary court order that prevents retailer Ozdirect Online Brands from advertising and accepting money for goods it cannot supply.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission took the company and its director, Paul Albright, to court after customers complained about undelivered goods.

Read more about the court order against Ozdirect at news.com.au.

An earlier Ozdirect story:

July 16, 2009: Ozdirect accused of deceiving customers