Brown Thomas Arnotts Ltd has pleaded guilty in Dublin District Court to breaking sales pricing laws following a prosecution brought by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

The retailer operates major stores on Grafton Street and Henry Street in Dublin, as well as in Dundrum, Blanchardstown, Cork, Limerick and Galway, and online. Judge Michael Ramsey ordered the company to pay €1,000 to the Little Flower Penny Dinners charity and to cover the CCPC’s legal costs. The court will strike out the case once the company makes payment by 16 March 2026. If it fails to do so, the court will impose a €1,000 fine.

The CCPC launched the case after carrying out online pricing checks between October and December 2024, including during the Black Friday sales period. This case forms part of a wider enforcement drive under sales pricing laws introduced in 2022. In 2025, several retailers, including Lifestyle Sports, DID Electrical, Rathwood and Boots, also pleaded guilty to similar offences.

Under the law, retailers must base any discount on the lowest price charged in the previous 30 days. They must also display this prior price clearly on price tags and advertisements.

Patrick Kenny, Commission Member at the CCPC, said the ruling highlights the importance of transparent pricing.

“Consumers have a legal right to clear pricing, especially during time-pressured sales periods,” he said. “The CCPC will not allow retailers to mislead shoppers about the value of discounts.”

Judge Michael Ramsey heard the case in Court 8 of the Dublin Metropolitan District. The CCPC said it will make no further comment at this time.

For more information on consumer pricing rights, visit www.ccpc.ie.

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