The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) has published its consumer rights protection statistics covering the first five months of the current year.
During the reporting period, the GCCA received a total of 1036 applications and 3150 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.
During the reporting period, the Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) identified 122 violations of consumer group rights in 299 cases. Due to non-compliance with obligations imposed by the GCCA, 53 traders were fined in 82 cases, with total penalties amounting to 69 176 GEL. For consumer protection, 93 commitment agreements were signed in 109 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 80%, followed by Adjara 6%, Imereti 4%, Kvemo Kartli 3% , Kakheti 2%, Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti 1%, etc.
As regards the subject matter of applications submitted during the first five months of the current year, 422 concerned requests for reimbursement, 251 related to the repair or replacement of defective goods, 224 pertained to the restoration of rights in cases of deficient service provision, 54 concerned the delivery of goods within the prescribed timeframe, and the rest is 85. By sector, wholesale and retail trade accounted for the largest share at 71%, followed by transport and storage 11%, accommodation and food service provision 2%, arts, entertainment and recreation 3%, and other activities 13%.
