Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

The City’s ombudsmen joined officials of the Executive Yuan’s Consumer Protection Committee in conducting inspections at various supermarkets on February 26, amid speculation of the imminent hike of toilet paper prices that has triggered a panic run on the life’s basic necessity.
 
Targeted retailers include Carrefour Nangang Store, A.mart Zhongxiao Store, and RT-Mart Zhonglun Store. The inspections found that there were ample supplies of tissue paper and related products at the supermarkets and showed no report of price increases.
 
A survey carried out by the Department of Economic Development (DED) indicated that supermarket chains such as A.mart, Carrefour, and PX Mart have put in place regular sale promotions for their respective tissue paper sections. Promotion events slated for March will not be cancelled, while depleted tissue paper products will be restocked soon. Price adjustments, if any, have yet to be announced pending negotiations between the retailers and tissue paper suppliers.
 
The public is urged not to panic buy toilet paper. The city government is closely monitoring the price fluctuations of the household staple. Any indication of price-fixing or illegal marketing activities will result in investigation and prosecution by the Fair Trade Commission against the parties involved.
 
The Fair Trade Act imposes a fine of NT$50 million on those convicted of price fixing, DED noted.