The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) announced the winners of the fourth edition of Premju Servizz bi Tbissima during an awards night.
In his address, Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista underlined the importance of customer care and after-sales service as key elements to growth in customer numbers. He encouraged the winners to keep on providing a good service whilst motivating other retailers to adopt commercial practices that are beneficial to consumers and that strengthen consumers’ rights at law.
The Chairperson of the MCCAA Helga Pizzuto, noted with satisfaction the public’s participation in the competition, and this reflected not only the importance consumers give to a quality service but also customers’ recognition of the efforts from traders in this respect. The importance that traders gave to the award also signalled traders’ commitment towards a quality customer service.
The competition had five categories and voting by the general public took place between the 23rd of May and the 4th of July 2018.
The winners from the five different categories were the following:
The category of ‘Electronic Products and Household Goods’ was won by SCAN, while Homemate and Forestals placed second and third respectively.
The category ‘Online Local Sellers’ was won by sparkleimage.com, whilst xusmalta.com placed second. The third place was awarded to scanmalta.com.
Centro Moda won the ‘Fashion and Beauty’ category. In this category Beauty Plus placed second, and the third place was awarded to Trichomania Hair Studio.
The winner of the ‘Supermarkets and Mini Markets’ category was Smart Supermarket followed by Lidl in second place. Scotts Supermarket and Park Towers Supermarket both placed third in this category with equal votes.
The category of ‘Travel’ was won by Brittania Tours, while SMS Mondial and Hamilton Travel placed second and third respectively.
The companies who received the majority of votes in the five different categories were vetted by the MCCAA to ensure that these traders abided by the award’s code of conduct. The MCCAA checked that these companies adhered to regulations; that prices in their outlets were indicated as per The Price Indication Regulations; that consumer complaints were dealt with in a timely manner; and that whenever possible they avoided that disputes with consumers were referred to the Consumer Claims Tribunal by opting for resolution through conciliation. The winners of the five categories each received a trophy, a certificate and the use of the Servizz bi Tbissima logo.
During the award ceremony, six consumers selected at random from those who participated in the voting process, were awarded a €100 cheque each. The consumers were presented with the cheques by the MCCAA Chairperson and the Director General for Consumer Affairs, Joyce Borg.
Premju Servizz bi Tbissima 2018 Press Launch
“This competition gives consumers and business owners the opportunity to strengthen their relationship. In fact, the aim of this competition is to promote business practices beneficial to the consumer”, Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista said during the launch of ‘Premju Servizz bi Tbissima’ in the presence of Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority Chairperson Helga Pizzuto.
With this competition business owners who abide by consumer protection laws and offer consumers extra help which goes further than legally imposed, will be duly recognised.
“Consumer loyalty plays an important role in the future of a business and determinates whether it prospers or fails. Nowadays, we are facing a strong competition in the market, both from local business owners as well as international ones, and the consumer has become much more powerful”, the Parliamentary Secretary said.
MCCAA Chairperson Helga Pizzuto said this award reflects the importance the Authority gives to a better and stronger relationship between consumers and traders, leading to fewer disputes between the two. The MCCAA has seen a significant decrease in complaints with disputes figures falling by 25% in three (3) years. This indicates an increased awareness of consumer rights and a healthy competition to the benefit of consumers.
Ing. Pizzuto explained that as last year’s edition, this year’s competition covers five main categories of sellers. These are online local sellers, businesses offering services within the travelling sector, businesses selling electronic products and household goods, supermarkets and minimarkets, and retail outlets providing products and services in fashion and beauty. The competition may be accessed through the MCCAA Facebook page or website www.mccaa.org.mt. The competition period is open from Thursday 24 May 2018 till Wednesday 4 July 2018.
Deo Debattista encouraged consumers to participate in this competition and local companies to promote it. “This competition should be a tool with which we recognise the best local companies, and should also encourage more companies to improve their services as this, undoubtedly, results in further economic success”, concluded the Parliamentary Secretary.