Platinum Menswear gets telling off from ACCC

NATIONAL: Suit retailer Platinum Menswear has received a rap over the knuckles by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) after admitting it misled consumers over country-of-origin labelling requirements.

The brand's Melbourne and Perth-based stores admitted that between April and September they advertised a 'buy one get one free' Studio Italia suit offer. The ACCC was concerned that consumers reading the advertisements may have believed the suits were made in Australia - when a number were made in China.

For its part Platinum Menswear acknowledged the advertisements were incorrect under the provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974.

Platinum has given court-enforceable undertakings that it will not use country of origin claims in future marketing material.

It has also agreed to publish a correction in various newspapers in Perth and Melbourne, as well as in its store windows advising customers of the problem while also offering a refund to all customers who purchased a Chinese-made suit in the promotion.