US EditionEU finds 30% of online traders 'cheat' on Black Friday
The European Commission found about 30% of online traders breached discount rules during Black Friday, with nearly 20% using misleading pressure-selling tactics.
- On Thursday, the European Union reported that nearly one-third of online traders misled consumers during Black Friday sales in 2025, with inspection results analyzing 314 traders across the region.
- Consumer protection authorities in 23 European Union states, Iceland, and Norway screened Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in November 2025 for compliance with European Union laws during events held after Thanksgiving.
- Some 30% of traders incorrectly displayed discounts by ignoring the lowest price from the previous 30 days; almost 20% used misleading pressure-selling techniques, while another 10% employed "drip pricing" to add late fees.
- "A great bargain is no excuse to cheat the rules," said Henna Virkkunen, the European Union's tech chief, emphasizing that consumers deserve fair treatment whether shopping online or offline.
- National consumer authorities may take enforcement action against the businesses identified in the sweep, as Brussels aims to ensure compliance with transparency standards during the 2025 holiday shopping season.
20 Articles
20 Articles
An investigation conducted by the authorities of some 20 European states shows that one third of online traders cheat during the Black Friday pay campaigns. Measures could be taken to punish them.
Pre-filled carts, false timers and hidden fees are among the practices reported by a taxation of 314 online shops in 25 countries coordinated by the EU. Portugal participated.
The European Commission checked 314 trading sites in 25 countries during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A third of them posted discounts that were not in accordance with European law, a result that was consistent... and alarming.
Approximately one in three online traders offered offers that were not as advantageous as announced during last year's Black Friday, reported yesterday 26 March, the European Union (EU), citing the results of an inspection.The consumer protection authorities of 23 EU Member States, as well as Iceland and Norway, examined the Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers of last November to check their compliance with EU legislation.The campaign coordinat…
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