Misleading claims are a continuing issue for the small business sector, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) latest Small business in focus report launched at the COSBOA National Small Business Summit.

This report includes the latest small business and franchising related complaints data, and highlights the ACCC’s work in the small business sector between January 1 to June 30.

Misleading conduct and false representations continue to be the biggest small business issue, with more than 1500 complaints received in the 2013–14 financial year, followed by complaints about consumer guarantees.

The ACCC continued to use a range of compliance and enforcement tools to encourage compliance with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and achieved several significant court outcomes during the period that are relevant to small businesses.

Action was taken against Coles for claims that its ‘Cuisine Royal’ and ‘Coles Bakery’ bread was ‘Baked Today, Sold Today’ and ‘Freshly Baked Instore’.

The Federal Court found these claims were false, misleading, and deceptive as the bread products were baked off site, and finished at instore bakeries.

“Small businesses often rely on a unique selling point to compete. If a large business presents a product as having a feature that it doesn’t, this can harm small businesses,” Schaper said.

The ACCC’s online resources continue to be popular. During the first six months of this year, there were more than 300,000 views of the ACCC’s business webpages, and over 6000 users of the ACCC’s three free online education programs for small businesses, tertiary students and prospective franchisees. These online programs are available at www.ccaeducationprograms.org.

“We understand how busy people who run or work in a small business or franchise are. Our online resources are reliable sources of information which people can access 24/7,” Schaper said.