Arab Times, 26 March 2026: Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry urges consumers to report shopkeepers who overcharge, as inspection teams continued large‑scale monitoring campaigns to enforce price regulations and protect consumer rights.

The Ministry has expanded its field campaigns in shops and markets to address violations affecting market transparency and price stability. Inspectors uncovered breaches in the gold market, including refusal to sell, selling at prices different from those advertised, and demanding large‑quantity purchases. Five violation reports were issued in the Capital Governorate’s gold market alone.

Officials stated that these measures were prompted by public complaints about shops refusing to sell gold except in large quantities. The Ministry confirmed that legal action was taken against violators under applicable commercial‑regulation laws as part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance and prevent unlawful practices. Consumers were urged to report any overcharging or sales irregularities through official channels.

According to official data, inspectors recorded 322 violations since the outbreak of the war in Iran, covering sectors such as gold shops, supermarkets, meat markets, juice outlets, and water‑tanker services. Violations ranged from inflated prices and commercial fraud to underweight products and improper storage. Ten closure orders were issued, including against central markets and shops, and an unlicensed warehouse was immediately shut. The campaigns were conducted in coordination with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, particularly in the Capital Governorate, where food‑safety violations were also identified.

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