Competition Bureau launches investigation into furniture retailers Leon's, The Brick

The Competition Bureau has advanced its investigation into furniture retailer Leon's and its subsidiary, The Brick, over allegations of deceptive marketing practices.

The inquiry focuses on claims that the companies provided false or misleading information regarding the end dates of sales or "limited-time-only" promotions. Additionally, it is alleged that the retailers may have inflated regular prices when making savings claims.

The Bureau is also investigating whether the companies failed to clearly specify the amount of discounts during promotions or used pricing displays in a way that created a misleading impression about customer benefits.

In 2018, Leon's and The Brick reached an agreement with the Competition Bureau over similar allegations tied to their "buy now, pay later" promotions. As part of the settlement, both retailers committed to donating $750,000 worth of home furnishings to charities approved by the regulator over a two-year period. They also agreed to follow the Bureau's guidelines on proper use of disclaimers in advertising and fee disclosures.

The Competition Bureau and representatives from the companies have been contacted for further comments.