United Carpets and Floors2Go have agreed to change their pricing practices after an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading.
United Carpets has said it will ensure its advertised recommended retail prices are genuine and are those at which the products are typically sold at throughout the year. It will also refrain from using time-sensitive promotions such as 'closing down sales' or 'closing down for refurbishment' without giving a clear explanation of the circumstances of the promotion.

Nixon & Hope, which operates online as Floors2Go, has agreed to change its practices after its website was found to be advertising products at an initial square metre price which excluded VAT. The OFT also found that some claimed savings were incorrect. The OFT was concerned that the prices displayed by Floors2Go were potentially misleading to consumers as they could not buy the product at the price shown.

Nixon & Hope has already amended its website to ensure any percentage savings claims are accurate. It has also agreed to amend it further so that selling prices will include VAT. This change will be completed in February.

OFT director, goods and consumer group, Gaucho Rasmussen, said: "Shoppers rely upon clear, honest and upfront advertising of prices. When retailers advertise misleading prices or promotions, consumers often make different purchases - or spend more money - than they otherwise might have done. We therefore welcome the changes that United Carpets and Nixon & Hope have made, and agreed to make, to their pricing and marketing strategies.

"When buying big-ticket items, consumers should always shop around and check that the price they are paying represents value for money."