Delhaize fined for billing errors

Delhaize grocery chain has been fined by the Economic Inspectorate for adding "phantom products" to its customers’ receipts.

An investigation was launched after the problem was reported on a consumer programme on VRT Radio 2.

The investigation found that, for several months, products customers had not purchased were appearing on their receipts.

Following a software update, cash registers had started scanning not only barcodes but also QR codes on certain products.

About a dozen products were said to be affected.

Delhaize will now be subject to a financial penalty, the exact figure of which the company did not wish to disclose.

“It is a significant sum,” said spokesperson Roel Dekelver, adding that the supermarket chain will not appeal the measure.

“Delhaize attaches great importance to the trust of its customers and to the accuracy and transparency of its prices.

"[The company] has therefore worked hard, in collaboration with stores and operators, to implement a solution to prevent product code errors from recurring in the future."