In more detail
After receiving a complaint about misleading marketing practices by mattress sellers, the CCS launched its investigations into a mattress retailer that displayed logos on its website and online platforms with statements such as “Hotelier Standard For Excellence” and “Hospitality Standards,” despite no such official standards existing.
A 4.5-star Trustpilot rating was also displayed on the online platforms, but there was no active Trustpilot account for the mattress retailer and the displayed rating was based primarily on reviews that the business had written itself.
It was found that the logos and the Trustpilot rating had been initially created and displayed by the retailer’s former owner, and the brand was sold to the present business owner in January 2025. The present business owner was aware of the logos and the Trustpilot rating, but did not check their veracity after acquiring the brand and continued to display them.
The current business owner agreed with the CCS to remove the misleading logos and the Trustpilot reviews. The CCS also issued a warning to the former business owner for initiating the conduct.
Key takeaways
This case demonstrates Singapore’s continued strict enforcement against cases of unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements. The CCS is empowered under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003 to investigate the use of misleading or false quality-related claims that may amount to unfair practices, and may also initiate court proceedings to restrict businesses from continuing such unfair practices or to make a declaration that the company is engaging in an unfair practice, and enter into a voluntary compliance agreement with the company, where the company would agree not to engage in the unfair practice, among other terms.
This enforcement report follows the CCS’ recent issuing of its Guide on Quality-related Claims, which indicates the CCS’ active enforcement.
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