Consumer Goods & Retail – UK consumer protection law: Five lessons from the CMA's first fine

16 April 2026

On Wednesday 15 April, the CMA issued its first fine under the UK's consumer protection law. We now have some insights into how the CMA (the Competition and Markets Authority – the UK's main competition and consumer agency) will be using the new consumer protection law powers it acquired a year ago.

Companies in the consumer goods and retail sector should now be reviewing their practices online and in retail outlets to ensure compliance. This first fine was of £4.2 million against a driving school company for not displaying a mandatory booking fee when it quoted the price for driving lessons.

This short briefing outlines five useful lessons – as well as some practical steps that consumer-facing businesses can take to minimise risk. 

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