Crackdown on online shopping violations for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The Catalan government has stepped up its inspection campaign to monitor promotions during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which fall on November 29 and December 2.

This year, authorities plan to monitor 80 companies - almost double the number inspected last year - in sectors such as electronics, clothing and household goods, which traditionally see the highest volume of discounts.

The labor ministry and the consumer protection agency will check the prices of nearly 3,000 products, with a special focus on online sales.

In last year's campaign, 41 companies - representing 75% of those inspected - were penalized for violations, resulting in fines totaling €185,000.

Authorities are urging consumers to shop cautiously online and avoid impulse purchases.

"It is crucial for consumers to check the security of the websites they use to shop online," said Isidor García, director of the Catalan Consumer Agency.

Key recommendations include making sure the URL starts with "https" and confirming that a padlock icon appears next to it, signaling a secure site.

The law requires companies to disclose the original price and the discount applied. In addition, discounts must be compared to the lowest price the product has had in the last 30 days to ensure they are not artificially inflated. 

Authorities are also cracking down on practices that pressure consumers to buy quickly. This includes failing to provide clear payment details, such as whether VAT is included or how shipping costs are calculated.

Businesses that fail to comply with trade regulations face fines of up to €20,000, while those that violate consumer rights can be fined between €10,000 and €100,000.