The Department of Trade and Industry said it has issued a “show cause order” against a grocery store chain, but clarified that the letter complaint from a consumer group did not present evidence against the establishment.
In a radio interview on June 3, DTI Assistant Secretary for Consumer Protection group Amando Nograles said that the agency issued the “show cause order” last May 29, 2024 following a letter by a consumer group, which covers 13 instances of complaints allegedly committed by the convenience store, Dali Everyday Grocer.
Among the issues raised by the consumer group were on sanitation, unfair trade practices, rude staff behavior, and non-compliance with priority lane regulations for senior citizens and persons with disability. These acts were allegedly committed in the company’s stores in Paranaque, Rizal and Marikina.
Nograles, however, clarified that the consumer group did not file a formal complaint, meaning there was no evidence presented, just a letter of complaint.
In addition, Nograles said that after several calls the consumer group only agreed to meet them on June 3. Nograles said they needed further details from the consumer group to substantiate their allegations.
The official said that the DTI investigation does not presume Dali’s guilt. It said it is open to hearing Dali’s side of the story.
Nograles also reiterated an earlier pronouncement that it had monitored 82 Dali branches only out of its total 353 stores. These branches were found compliant with suggested retail price and the Price Act during the DTI routine inspections from January to April 2024.
The stores sell basic necessities and prime commodities and as such is covered by the DTI mandate.
The DTI is also seeking assistance from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Recently, Malayang Konsyumer, a multisectoral consumer policy protection organization, has brought to the attention of the DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) the issues raised against the grocery management.
Manila Bulletin has been trying to get the side of Dali on this matter.