In brief
On 8 December 2025, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) reported acting against two retailers of consumer electronics and home appliances after finding that they used misleading website design features that pressured consumers into purchasing.
Following investigations, the retailers agreed with the CCS to remove or change these website features and refund customers affected by the unfair trade practice.
In more detail
After receiving a consumer complaint, the CCS investigated the first retailer and found that during certain promotional periods, the retailer’s website automatically added certain items to consumers’ carts without seeking their consent. Consumers were at risk of unknowingly paying for unwanted items if they failed to notice or remove those items before checking out.
This retailer agreed with the CCS to cease this practice immediately, make the necessary changes to its website and refund customers affected by the practice.
The CCS also investigated a second retailer’s website and identified multiple design features that created false urgency, pressuring consumers into making hasty purchases. These included the following:
- Fake countdown timers that served no technical function and were not linked to inventory systems
- Misleading stock indicators displayed for products with inventory above 100 units — a threshold that was not clearly disclosed to consumers
- Unsubstantiated shortage claims about the industry and other brands selling similar products
- Inflated “maximum discount” claims that were not reflective of the actual discounts provided
The second retailer agreed with the CCS to rectify these website features and to abstain from engaging in any unfair trade practices.
In the wake of these investigations, the CCS advised businesses to provide clear disclosure of the price and nature of add-ons, reminding businesses that statements about stock availability or price discounts should be truthful and factually accurate.
Key takeaways
These investigations illustrate the CCS’ sustained strict enforcement and surveillance in the industry. The CCS is empowered under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003 to investigate businesses for charging consumers for unsolicited products or using misleading or false product claims, both of which may amount to unfair practices. The CCS may also initiate court proceedings to restrict businesses from continuing such unfair practices or to make a declaration that the company is engaging in an unfair practice, and enter into a voluntary compliance agreement with the company, where the company would agree not to engage in the unfair practice, among other terms.
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