Kmart has been fined $57,000 by Licensing and Consumer Affairs for violations related to pricing of items, expiration dates and scanner violations. The violations are infractions of the territory's consumer protection laws.
Andrew Rutnik, acting commissioner of DLCA, said all four locations of Kmart have been cited for at least one of the following violations:
— Failure to display total selling price on items offered for sale.
— Offering items for sale beyond their expiration dates.
— Offering goods and services with the intent not to sell them as offered.
Rutnik said it is the law that prices have to be displayed either on the item or in close proximity on the shelves.
Kmart also was cited for scanner violations, which involve a posted price differing from the scanner price, Rutnik said.
"We only cite stores for scanner violations when the difference is in favor of the store," Rutnik said. "If it's in favor of the consumer," DLCA does not impose a violation.
"But we're trying to help them (Kmart) correct their problems," he said. "The volume they are losing can add up."
Rutnik said, "Kmart's violations reflect only a very small portion of their overall inventory and do not appear to represent any intentional bad business practice."
Consumers can call the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs if they come into contact with any suspected violations while shopping at any establishment. The St. Thomas office phone number is 774-3130.