Every goods price reduction announcement must state the previous price, meaning the lowest price at which you sold the goods in the 30 days before the reduction (Section 7 of Act No. 108/2024 Coll.). The discount must also be calculated from that price, not the regular pre-promotion price. The Slovak Trade Inspection actively checks shops and websites, comparing price records with displayed prices. A struck-through price inconsistent with the history can lead to a fine.
An old price struck through beside a new one is an online shop’s most common sales tool, and an easy source of regulatory trouble. The rule is simple, but compliance must be driven by price records rather than the marketing department.
What exactly does the law require?
The duty has two parts: state the previous price and calculate the discount from it:
A trader shall state the goods’ previous price in every price reduction announcement. The trader shall determine the reduction on the basis of that previous price.
— Section 7(1) of Act No. 108/2024 Coll. (unofficial English translation)
The previous price is not simply the price displayed the day before the promotion:
The previous price is the lowest price at which the trader sold or supplied the goods:
(a) during the 30 days before the price reduction; or
(b) since sales or supply began, if the goods were sold or supplied for fewer than 30 days before the reduction.
— Section 7(2) of Act No. 108/2024 Coll. (unofficial English translation)
The purpose is to prevent artificial discounts where prices rise shortly before a promotion to make the reduction look generous. For successive reductions within one campaign, the price preceding the first reduction may remain the reference price (Section 7(3)). The rule does not apply to rapidly perishable goods (Section 7(4)).
How the SOI checks compliance
Inspectors request price records for the items checked, using their powers under Section 28 of Act No. 108/2024 Coll., and compare them with the displayed claims. Decision No. PP/0016/07/26 of 9 April 2026 imposed a EUR 300 fine: six of twelve checked product types in a “SALE up to 50%” campaign had struck-through prices inconsistent with records. One sweatshirt, for example, showed EUR 84.90 crossed out although its recorded lowest price was EUR 19.95. In decision No. PP/0006/05/2026 of 27 April 2026, a trader received a EUR 400 fine for one product: a basket previously sold for EUR 6.50 showed EUR 7.50 crossed out. One item is enough for a pricing-system error to become a sanction. The SOI also reviewed discounts nationwide, publishing its findings on 30 June 2026.
Inspectors need not visit: online shops are routinely checked using screenshots, as explained in remote SOI inspections.
What to watch in an online shop
The problem is often technical rather than intentional. The system crosses out a manufacturer’s recommended price you never charged, or displays the pre-promotion price despite the goods being cheaper in the meantime. Configure the shop so struck-through amounts always reflect the actual price history for the preceding 30 days, and retain that history: you must produce it during inspection. Words such as “clearance” and percentages on banners also announce a price reduction; the rule is not limited to price labels.
How we can help
Our terms and conditions review checks discounts, price displays and promotional wording, which we reflect in your online shop terms. During an SOI inspection or after a fine, our e-commerce legal services prepare a response and assess appeal prospects.
Before a major seasonal promotion, let us review the wording and discount mechanics. It costs less than explaining price history to inspectors.
This answer provides general information on the law as at 29 August 2026. It does not constitute legal services or replace an assessment of an individual case. The details of your situation may differ. Book a consultation to discuss them.
