DIY giant B&Q has accused its rivals of misleading consumers with their yo-yo prices.
The retailer commissioned research from independent website kitchen-compare.com that showed some competitors had doubled the price of some popular kitchens in the run-up to Christmas before slashing them during the Sales.
The comparison website found that prices at Homebase and Wickes rocketed by up to 130% in late November and early December, before falling again in the half-price Sales, the Sunday Times reported.
A B&Q spokesperson said: “Whilst other retailers continue to artificially price their kitchens and bathrooms in high-low pricing, B&Q continually has every day low prices.”
B&Q introduced an everyday low prices policy on its kitchens and bathrooms last year.
By law items must have been available at the higher price for 28 days before retailers can advertise them at a discount.
However, Homebase insisted it had not made any changes to the base prices of its kitchens since June last year. “We do run kitchen promotions at different times of the year, and as a result, at different periods, the price you pay will fluctuate,” a Homebase spokesperson said.
Wickes declined to comment.
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