Consumers Urged to Report Irregularities During Black Weekend in Panama.
The Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (ACODECO) issued a series of recommendations for consumers making purchases during the 2026 Panama Black Weekend, urging them to carefully check the conditions, prices, and promotions advertised by participating businesses.
Inspection and regulatory compliance operations
The agency confirmed that it will conduct verification operations in the country’s main shopping centers to monitor compliance with the provisions established in Law 45 of 2007. The technical oversight will focus on verifying the accuracy of advertising and the proper conduct of special sales.
The administrator of Acodeco, Ramón Abadi Balid, emphasized that commercial activity has become a benchmark for consumption in the region. He added that the institution will strengthen oversight of businesses to prevent misleading advertising, while urging shoppers to review sales conditions, keep their receipts, and request any applicable warranties.
Recommendations for verifying offers
Among the guidelines presented by the institution, the importance of comparing previous prices and verifying that advertised discounts are actually applied stands out. The entity also reminded consumers that current regulations require promotions to specify whether they cover all or only part of the merchandise, clearly indicating both the original price and the sale price.
In cases where the phrase “while supplies last” is used, the authority recommends paying close attention to the available quantities and the terms expressed. Likewise, the need to request and keep purchase receipts was emphasized, as these are essential for processing future complaints or claims.
Channels for reporting irregularities
Consumers can file complaints regarding irregularities such as discrepancies between advertised and charged prices, misleading advertising, or breaches of warranty through Acodeco’s official customer service channels. The agency reiterated that timely oversight depends largely on citizen reporting of any violations detected in the market.
