With reporting by Lesley Walker and Riham Sheble
Government officials have ordered the Landmark Mall branch of popular coffee chain Starbucks closed for a week following an inspection this morning.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) said in a tweet today that the store was “not complying with the list of prices advertised.”
It did not elaborate on the specific nature of the violation, although ministry stickers attached to the outside of the store said it had violated Law No. 8 of 2008, which contains various consumer protection provisions. Store managers could not immediately be reached for comment.
The prices of many consumer goods and services are regulated by the government to varying degrees in Qatar. For example, stores must apply to the MEC before advertising a promotional offer.
In January, three retailers were fined for improperly running sales. At the time, the MEC warned it was planning to “intensify” its enforcement campaign against retailers that defraud or mislead consumers.
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