ICCL Warns Loyalty Scheme Price Gaps May Undermine Consumer Consent in Ireland
Loyalty schemes are expanding in Ireland, but the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) warns that significant price differences for non-members may undermine genuine consumer consent. The ICCL questions the voluntariness of joining when opting out incurs a detriment.
Loyalty schemes are becoming increasingly prevalent and popular across Ireland, with most major supermarkets now offering such programs. The convenience chain Centra recently launched its own scheme, further expanding their reach.
However, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has issued a warning that the significant price disparities often associated with these programs could compromise consumers' ability to provide genuine consent when joining. The ICCL stated, «If a person suffered a detriment as a consequence of not consenting to something, there’s a big question mark over whether or not that’s consent.»
This concern raises questions about the voluntariness of participation when consumers face substantial financial disadvantages for opting out. A recent poll asked, «Are you signed up to a supermarket loyalty scheme?» with one response indicating, «No, but I might in the future.»