In this instance, no companies were selected from the drug or grocery store categories. The survey of 1996 and the subsequent targeted monitoring, has undoubtedly enhanced awareness of this issue on the part of consumers and business. In 1997, with the encouragement of the Bureau, the retail industry struck a Price Accuracy Committee representing a number of major retail associations and retailers. The guide promotes accurate pricing amongst its members. It was made available to both member and non-member companies.
Many stores now display signs explaining their price accuracy policy to consumers.
The pamphlet contains a number of tips for consumers to follow when shopping. As a consequence of targeting its follow-up efforts on the performance of individual companies, the Bureau is not able to comment on the relative change of overall price accuracy in the Canadian marketplace. The Bureau has found steady improvement in many of the companies that have been the subject of monitoring since 1996, however some individual companies have not improved at all. The Bureau will be addressing these issues in the fiscal year 2000-2001. In addition, the Bureau will be undertaking a more comprehensive survey in the Spring of 2000 in order to obtain a better picture of price accuracy in the Canadian marketplace.