- Washington AG Nick Brown sued Albertsons Companies, Inc., Albertson’s LLC, and Safeway, Inc. for allegedly violating the Washington Consumer Protection Act and Washington’s price-misrepresentation law through deceptive “buy one, get one free” promotions at Safeway, Albertsons, and Haggen stores.
- According to the complaint, the defendants used BOGO deals to lure consumers into stores, then raised prices on the products leading up to the promotions before lowering them after the deals ended. As a result, the AG alleges, consumers paid a premium for the first item and did not receive a truly free second item.
- The AG’s office alleges the defendants overcharged Washington consumers on at least 3.19 million transactions, bringing in as much as $19.7 million.
- The state seeks injunctive relief, restitution, disgorgement, civil penalties, prejudgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs.