Written reply to PQ on public complaints towards festive surcharge pricings by F&B establishments over past five years

Question:

Ms Yeo Wan Ling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Ministry has received public complaints about unfair festive surcharges by retail and food establishments; and (b) what are the number of such complaints for each year over the past five years.  

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.           From 2021 to 2025, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) received a total of four complaints on the quantum and/or transparency of festive surcharges by retail and food establishments, with two received in 2021 and two in 2022. Where relevant, the consumers were advised to seek assistance from the Consumers Association of Singapore. No further follow-ups were required from MTI or CCS.