New Jersey’s Attorney General’s office has fined Apple $150,000 for “widespread pricing violations” in its retail stores throughout the state. The violations involve the company’s failure to display product prices in an accessible manner.
In a press release, state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that Apple has agreed to pay the civil penalty and change its business practices. The violations stem from the Division of Consumer Affairs’ reinspection of 11 Apple stores, which were subject to a 2017 consent order requiring continuously available pricing information for various Apple products.
The allegations stem from the Division of Consumer Affairs’ reinspection of 11 Apple stores subject to a 2017 consent order requiring Apple to install continuously available pricing information for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and other electronic devices displayed on tables in stores throughout the state.
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
New Jersey law requires retailers to ensure prices are clearly visible to all customers, which conflicted with Apple’s digital pricing display methods. Despite reaching a compromise in 2017, Apple failed to comply with the agreement, leading to the recent fine.
The $150,000 civil penalty is the largest ever under the state’s Merchandise Pricing Act. Apple is also required to ensure pricing is readily accessible to customers through various means, such as marking prices on merchandise or displaying them on screens with limited interaction.
Additionally, Apple must clearly post refund policies in its stores. The company’s repeated misconduct has raised concerns among regulators and consumers alike, prompting the strict enforcement of pricing and transparency regulations.
