From www.klgates.com: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2025-2026, emphasising the need to address cost of living pressures within the supermarket and retail sectors.

Key focuses include tackling misleading surcharging practices, monitoring unfair contract terms in the digital economy, and improving industry compliance with consumer guarantees.

The ACCC will also draft guidelines for a mandatory merger clearance process expected to be implemented in 2026, with an aim for a swift approval of most notified mergers.