Polish regulator fines Beliani €2 million for non‑cooperation
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) imposed a fine of 8 453 400 zł – roughly €2 million – on Beliani (PL) GmbH, a Swiss‑owned online furniture retailer operating in Poland. The penalty was levied after the company failed to respond to two formal requests for information about its promotional messages, which the regulator says may mislead consumers by suggesting limited stock or time‑limited discounts. UOKiK examined the website’s “quick‑buy” prompts such as “Only a few left” and the display of prior price reductions, concluding that the lack of cooperation warranted the maximum sanction under the law. President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny warned, “A shop can attract customers with promotions, but it cannot hide from UOKiK’s questions.” Beliani may appeal the decision to the Competition and Consumer Court within one month.
The fine aims to enforce transparent advertising practices and protect Polish consumers from deceptive pricing tactics.