Q: I work in an office in St Julian’s and regularly buy a specific brand of milk. I buy this milk from different establishments and there are two specific shops that charge an extra 20 cents for the same brand of milk. Is it legal for establishments to charge more for a product that is usually sold at a specific price?

A: Consumer law does not regulate how much products should be sold. The only regulation there is with regard to prices is the Price Indication Regulations under the Consumer Affairs Act that stipulates that products for sale should have a price clearly indicated on them so that consumers can make an informed choice before buying.

These regulations do not regulate the price at which a product should be sold, or the profit a seller can make when selling products to consumers. So as long as the milk carton displayed for sale is clearly indicated with its retail price, the shops that are charging an extra 20 cents are not doing anything illegal.

When prices of goods for sale are not clearly indicated, consumers may report the retailers concerned to the Enforcement Directorate at the Office for Consumer Affairs so that the necessary legal action is taken to ensure that the Price Indication Regulations are observed.