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CMA Opens First Consumer-Law Probes Into Eight Firms Over Online Pricing Tactics

The cases follow a cross‑economy review of more than 400 businesses.

Overview

  • Investigations name StubHub, Viagogo, AA Driving School, BSM, Gold’s Gym, Wayfair, Appliances Direct and Marks Electrical.
  • Concerns center on drip pricing, hidden mandatory fees, misleading countdown timers and default opt‑ins that may obscure true costs.
  • The CMA is also writing to 100 companies across 14 sectors to warn about additional fees and pressure‑selling tactics.
  • Under strengthened powers, the watchdog can enforce the law directly, order customer compensation and fine firms up to 10% of global turnover if infringements are found.
  • The regulator says it has reason to suspect breaches but has reached no conclusions, with specific lines of inquiry including time‑limited sales at Wayfair, default opt‑ins at Marks Electrical and both at Appliances Direct.