The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) has published its consumer rights protection statistics covering the first seven months of the current year.
During the reporting period, the GCCA received a total of 1508 applications and 4655 calls related to consumer rights protection-representing a 106% increase in the number of applications submitted compared to the corresponding period of the preceding year.
Furthermore, during the reporting period, the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency identified 204 violations of consumer group rights in 472 cases. Due to non-compliance with obligations imposed by the GCCA, 93 traders were fined in 221 cases, with total penalties amounting to 214 398 GEL. For consumer protection, 120 commitment agreements were signed in 139 cases, where traders committed to modifying their internal business policies and restoring the rights of affected consumers who suffered due to unfair business practices.
According to the reporting period, 70% of submitted applications concerned online trading, while 30% related to in-person purchases. From a regional perspective, Tbilisi accounted for the largest share of applications 79%, followed by Adjara 6%, Imereti 4%, Kvemo Kartli 2%, Kakheti 2%, Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti 2%, etc.
As regards the subject matter of applications submitted during the first seven months of the current year, 628 concerned requests for reimbursement, 334 related to the repair or replacement of defective goods, 355 pertained to the restoration of rights in cases of deficient service provision, and the rest is 191. By sector, wholesale and retail trade accounted for the largest share at 70%, followed by transport and storage 12%, arts, entertainment and recreation 3%, and other activities 15%.
