DRIVERS have been urged to carry out an easy five second petrol station check this winter to save themselves £3,250.

Anyone can do it and missing it out could leave you without a motor and picking up a massive bill.

Getty

Drivers could save themselves thousands by making a five second check[/caption]

Winter is very much on the way, with parts of the country set to see snow this week according to the Met Office.

As temperatures plunge everyone knows to wrap up warm, fiddle with the thermostat and break out the blankets.

But many forget that it’s also important to look after your car as the seasons change.

Helping your motor recover from the summer heat and preparing it for the deep freeze in winter could be key in staying on the road – and save you some serious cash.

One vital area often neglected by drivers is keeping an eye on fluid levels.

Engines run hot, usually between 90C and 105C, causing fluids to evaporate as you go along.

And with temperatures this summer peaking in the 30Cs, that effect is only accelerated.

Coolant, brake fluid and transmission fluid are all critical to the smooth running of your car and letting them run down too low can have disastrous effects.

But perhaps the most important fluid is engine oil, which lubricates and cleans just about every part of the powertrain.

Brits should check their oil levels frequently to make sure they don’t run out.

Most cars still use a dipstick on the oil tank, allowing you to check your levels in seconds.

Simply make sure your car is on level ground and has had at least ten minutes to cool down after use.

Unscrew the dipstick, which is often marked with a circular yellow top, and wipe it clean with a cloth.

Then put it back in the oil tank for a few seconds before removing for a second time and checking the level.

It should be between the maximum and minimum notches marked on the stick.

If you don’t have a dipstick it’s even easier, as the car likely has an oil gauge on the dashboard which can show you the level from the comfort of the cabin.

Once you’ve measured your oil, just top it up as needed keeping it under the maximum mark.

You should do this at least every three months of 3,000 miles (whichever comes first) as a rule of thumb.

And get your oil changed once a year or every 5-7,500 miles to keep it fresh.

If you let your oil get too low it can cause significant engine damage and even seize your engine – forcing you to get a replacement.

And given that, according to experts at Motorway, replacing an engine costs an average of £3,250, it’s more than worth it to pick up a bottle for £11 to last you for the year.

THE body of a second influencer has been found washed up on a beach after a yacht party on the “Devil’s Throat” coastline ended in tragedy.

The body of Aline Tamara, 37, was found on Itaquitanduva Beach in Brazil just days after rescuers recovered the body of her pal Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria, 27.

Newsflash

Aline Tamara Moreira de Amorim, 37, was found days after her pal[/caption]

Newsflash

Aline had spoken to her mum just moments before the boat capsized[/caption]

Newsflash

The body of Beatriz Tavares da Silva Faria was recovered last week[/caption]

A desperate search for the two women has been underway since last week when their boat capsized in the rough seas on the coast of Sao Paulo.

The body of Aline was found on the beach by rescuers from the Maritime Firefighters Group on Friday morning.

Her devastated mum told local media that she had spoken to her daughter moments before the accident saying: “Mum, I’m going out with a friend, we’re going to go out on a boat and I’ll be home soon.”

Aline had posted photographs on social media showing her and pals on the luxury yacht near Sao Vicente on 29 September, shortly before the tragedy.

Vanessa Audrey da Silva, Camila Alves de Carvalho, Daniel Gonçalves Ferreira, Gabriela Santos Lima and Natan Cardoso Soares da Silva – who were also on the vessel — were rescued shortly after the accident.

Aline had posted photographs on social media showing her and pals on the luxury yacht near Sao Vicente on 29th September, shortly before the tragedy.

The authorities are still investigating what exactly caused the tragedy, with survivor Camila Alves, 20, telling local media that they were at a birthday party on a yacht near Guaruja.

But when things began to wind down and it was time to return, the partygoers split into two smaller vessels and headed back to shore.

One of the two smaller vessels, a rented speedboat, was suddenly hit by a large wave that caused it to sink.

Camila said: “We could see that we wouldn’t be able to hold on for long, we were kicking our feet and swallowing a lot of water.

“Our solution was to throw ourselves on the rocks to try to hold on and save ourselves.”

Another survivor, named as Vanessa Audrey, 35, said that they had held out hope of finding Aline alive.

The other survivors from the sunk vessel were Daniel Goncalves Ferreira, 22, Gabriela Santos Lima and Nathan Cardoso Soares da Silva.

Vanessa said shortly after the incident: “Five people managed to reach that rock, and she (Aline) was wearing a vest. So, the hope was that she survived.”

Camila told her followers on social media that no one had been drinking, saying: “No one was drunk or on drugs on the boat. It was an accident. The truth will come out eventually.”

Wearing a bandage, she said that everyone involved had been badly hurt. She also said that neither of the women who died were wearing life jackets.

The Brazilian Navy said in a statement that they had opened an investigation into the incident, adding: “It is worth noting that there was no record of water pollution resulting from the sinking of the vessel.”

Newsflash

Her friends were hoping Aline survived as she was wearing a vest[/caption]

Newsflash

Beatriz’s body was found after a speedboat capsised in Sao Vicente, Brazil[/caption]

I’ve been a fan of the modern Persona games and their clever mix between dungeon crawling with turn-based combat, and social elements.

The latest game from the creators, Metaphor: ReFantazio, is a massive twist on the tried and tested formula and many fans’ dream come true.

Atlus

Metaphor: ReFantazio’s flashy turn-based combat is a joy to master[/caption]

Atlus

Metaphor takes the best of what makes the Persona series great and brings it into a whole new high fantasy universe.

The game brings the expected great gameplay loop, soundtrack, stylish menus and anime visuals the Persona team is known for.

It doesn’t just repeat Persona’s mechanics but adds some much-needed changes that greatly improve gameplay.

Set in the fictional United Kingdom of Euchronia, the story follows the journey of a misfit from the elda tribe, a minotiry that’s being discriminated upon in this fantasy world.

Your protagonist is tasked with saving the kingdom’s slumbering prince from a terrible curse after the king has been killed by a scheming usurper.

The new theme revolves around Game of Thrones-like court intrigue and politics, which feels fresh compared to Persona’s usual high-school setting.

Much more than just “fantasy Persona”, Metaphor: ReFantazio brings a tonne of welcome changes that long-time Persona fans will appreciate.

Its more relaxed structure gives players enough time to complete all of the game’s content, even without meticulous planning.

Unlike Persona’s tight calendar, Metaphor: ReFantazio timekeeping lets you max out bonds, complete all quests, and level up all Archetypes in a single playthrough.

Metaphor turns Persona’s day-night cycle on its head, and here you dungeon crawl during the day and build relationships at night.

The new game features more dungeons, but they are shorter and very well-designed, so dungeon crawling never feels tedious.

There’s real-time combat for easier encounters and as an opportunity to gain advantage in tougher fights, which improves pacing, and adds a new strategic layer to gameplay.

The world looks gorgeous and is a joy to explore, and although travelling between locations takes time, it doesn’t feel wasted as you always have something to do while on the road.

With the new fantasy setting comes a massive roster of new, interesting characters you will meet and bond with throughout your journey.

Personas are replaced with more than 40 Archetypes, each tied to the bond you nurture with a follower.

A welcome improvement from Persona is that once you max out an Archetype, it can still earn you experience towards another one.

You also transfer up to four abilities from other Archetypes to your current one.

Synthesis attacks push you to experiment with mixing and matching the Archetypes equipped in your party to see what powerful moves you can get.

Metaphor: ReFantazio twists the Persona formula in more than one ways, adding an intriguing new setting, greatly improved gameplay, and many quality-of-life improvements.

TRAVIS KELCE angered Kansas City Chiefs fans with a cheeky request on the sideline in the middle of a game.

The Hall of Fame-bound star has had a mixed start to the 2024-25 NFL season, struggling at the very beginning.

Chiefs

Travis Kelce has an interaction with an assistant on the Kansas City Chiefs sideline[/caption]

Chiefs

Kelce asked the assistant whether he could use the phone on the sidelines[/caption]

He failed to live up to his usual high form during the opening three games of the campaign.

But the the tight end had a breakout performance against the Los Angeles Chargers last weekend.

That has helped the Chiefs get off to a 4-0 start, as head coach Andy Reid looks to guide his team to another Super Bowl.

Kelce celebrated his 35th birthday on Saturday 5 October, which included a lavish birthday party.

In honor of their star man, the Chiefs posted a throwback video of Kelce on their official Instagram account.

The clip was of the nine time Pro Bowler on the sidelines in a game during his illustrious career.

They captioned it: “No better day to pull out some of @killatrav’s greatest hits.”

Kelce, who had a different hairstyle at the time, is seen making a request to a Chiefs assistant.

He asks them to call his mom, Donna, about what he wants for dinner that night.

“Can you call my mother for me from that phone right there,” Travis says.

The assistant replies that he doesn’t know if he can use the telephone on the sideline.

“Tell her that I don’t want the macaroni and cheese with the regular noodles,” Travis goes on.

“I want the gnocchi.”

The pair then have a back and forth on how to pronounce the Italian dish gnocchi.

“I’ll get that right,” the assistant replies.

“Yeah, not the regular noodles,” Travis adds.

“The ganache noodles.”

Fans reacted with shock and anger that Kelce would have the non-serious conversation in the middle of a game.

One social media user said: “He seriously asked this?”

Another added: “All this while I was thinking they talking tactics there.”

A third replied: “He’s like a golden retriever.”

Kelce’s girlfriend Taylor Swift was a surprise absentee from his birthday on Saturday night.

But he does expect her to make it for the Chiefs game against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

THE Russian arms dealer dubbed ‘The Merchant of Death’ is selling guns to the Houthis, reports claim.

Viktor Bout, the weapons seller who inspired the film Lord of War, has returned to his old trade with UK cargo ships now in the firing line.

Reuters

Weapons dealer Viktor Bout escorted by Thai police in 2010[/caption]

AP

Bout was swapped for WNBA player Brittney Griner[/caption]

EPA

Yemen’s Houthis have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea[/caption]

Reuters

The Houthis are a proxy of Iran and are fighting a brutal civil war[/caption]

The 57-year-old was released by the US in 2022 after he was slapped with a 25-year sentence in 2011 for conspiracy to kill US citizens and officials.

Bout was freed in exchange for US basketball player Brittney Griner, who had been jailed in Russia for nine years due to possession of hash oil.

The Wall Street Journal now reports he is trying to broker the sale of guns to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

The militants’ officials went to Moscow in August to negotiate the purchase of $10m (£7.7m) worth of weapons and met Bout.

The Houthis have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea, seizing and sinking cargo ships as part of Iran’s wars in the Middle East.

Bout is reportedly looking to sell them small arms weapons such as rifles and grenades, rather than anti-ship missiles or drones.

They are yet to be delivered but could be used when the militants board ships to seize them.

Moscow and Tehran have been growing closer with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Putin has turned to the Ayatollah as he desperately needs more ammunition as the Ukrainians smash his armies.

Since returning to Russia, Bout became a celebrity and was elected as a far-right politician in a regional legislature.

Recent footage shows the Houthis launching an explosive drone and striking a British oil tanker.

The Houthi group shared the clip of a big explosion near the side of the Cordelia Moon, which damaged its port side tank and covered it in clouds of smoke.

Last November, 25 forgotten sailors of the hijacked British-Israeli Galaxy Leader cargo ship were taken captive by the Houthi pirates.

The $50million vessel was hijacked by the Iran-sponsored Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on November 19.

Its entire international crew were taken hostage in what the gunmen clinging to the sides of a helicopter screamed was revenge for Israel’s war in Gaza.

The car carrier was pulled back to Hodeidah in the Houthi-controlled north of Yemen as a trophy to taunt the West and supporters of the militants flocked to the site to share in the spoils of war.

Bout exploited the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s and ran a fleet of planes, shipping ammunition to war-torn countries in Africa.

Like Putin, Bout was an intelligence officer, but he shifted to transporting weapons exploiting the new Russian Federation.

He’s also accused of supplying ammunition to brutal regimes and warlords.

In 2011, Bout was convicted on charges of conspiring to kill American citizens and officers.

He was also found guilty of providing resources in the form of weapons to a foreign terrorist organization.

Attorney Preet Bharara said: “He aimed to sell those weapons to terrorists for the purpose of killing Americans.”

Juan Zarate, who served as the deputy national security advisor for combatting terrorism during the Bush Administration, described Bout as a “singular international criminal”.

Reuters

The Houthis have seized some cargo vessels passing through the Red Sea[/caption]

Reuters

Bout was known as the ‘lord of war’ or ‘merchant of death’[/caption]

AN EV “gas station” is set to open for the first time in the US, boasting a mini grocery store and WiFi lounge, despite slowing demand for electric cars.

The unique site lets drivers enjoy a meal or do their weekly shop while charging up and even features a battery-friendly car wash.

YouTube/ KTLA 5

Rover has set up the nation’s first EV ‘gas station’[/caption]

Rove

It features more than 40 chargers, most of which are rapid chargers[/caption]

Rove

There’s also a Gelson’s grocery store on the site[/caption]

The US-first, Rove, is a service station catering exclusively to electric vehicles.

Sitting near trendy Santa Ana it is handily located in one of the most EV-dense regions in the country – Southern California.

Around a quarter of cars sold in the state last year were electric, rapidly outpacing other EV hotspots like Hawaii, Washington and Nevada.

As a result, Rove CEO Bill Reid made the call to open the brand’s first location in the area.

The idea is to give EV drivers access to the sort of facilities you might expect from a traditional gas station, but which are lacking from many charging points.

There are bathrooms, overnight security, an indoor workspace with WiFi and a Gelson’s mini-market so motorists can refuel alongside their cars.

Inside the store, you can pick up a wide range of snacks, drinks and even meals.

Pre-made sushi, fresh sandwiches and coffee are all available, as well as the usual candy and chips.

There’s even a small grocery section where you can pick up fresh fruit, vegetables and other household staples on your trip.

Outside, there’s a selection of chargers with all three major connector types.

This lets owners of pretty much every EV currently on the market find the right charger for them, with some even having a choice of speeds.

There are 28 Tesla superchargers on the site as well as 12 non-Tesla chargers, which can be accessed through the Rove app.

None of the chargers split power between multiple cars (a common gripe among owners) and all are set up to the cable is easily identifiable and doesn’t overlap with others.

Mr Reid told KTLA: “Despite all the spending and excitement about EV growth and EV infrastructure, there’s much more we need to do.”

With that in mind, Rove reportedly had a further 10 forecourts in the works at locations in the near future.

The Santa Ana location will open on October 15.

It comes after Toyota delayed the production of its EVs in the US, leaving drivers waiting for another year.

YouTube/ KTLA 5

It even has an EV-friendly car wash[/caption]

YouTube/ KTLA 5

The chargers can be used by most EV models on the market[/caption]

Shoppers are racing over to Amazon’s October Prime Day sale to secure a huge saving on an at-home hair removal device.

During the exclusive 48-hour event, Amazon customers can pick up a Ulike Air 10 for just $269 – that’s the lowest price we’ve seen all year.

Amazon

Shoppers are racing to secure a huge saving on the Ulike Laser Hair Removal device[/caption]

Ulike Air 10 Laser Hair Removal, $399 $269 (with code PDULIKEA10) from Amazon

If you’re a beauty fan on the hunt for bargains, then it’s more than likely you’ll be scrolling through Amazon’s Prime Day sale.

As always, we’re on hand to bring you the best deals as they land, including this unbeatable offer on the Ulike Laser Hair Removal device.

Previously priced at $399, you can now shop the Ulike Air 10 for $269.

If you don’t know what the Ulike device is, or how it works, it’s simply an IPL hair removal product that removes stubborn hair and slows hair regrowth.

IPL stands for intense pulsed light technology, which uses strong pulses of broad-spectrum light to target hair at the root.

Unlike traditional hair removal methods, the Ulike Air 10 is equipped with sapphire ice-cooling technology and promises a ”nearly painless” experience.

When the device is in use, it retains a contact temperature below 65°F, which helps to prevent burns and skin irritation – even after a full body treatment.

Furthermore, the device features four different settings – there’s a mode to meet all of your hair removal needs.

Customers can choose between a fast mode, a normal mode, a high mode, and a powerful SHR mode.

The SHR setting has been designed to specifically handle stubborn hair.

This mode is great for removing hair from difficult areas such as the armpits, bikini lines, legs, chest, and more.

Whichever mode you opt for, you can enjoy a full body treatment in just 10 minutes, making this not only a cost-effective option but also a convenient one.

According to Ulike, with consistent use, most users will experience visible hair reduction within just two weeks, and long-lasting results within six weeks.

Shoppers who have already tested out the discounted device have left an array of glittering reviews on the Amazon website.

Alongside a picture of their visible hair loss results, one shopper shared: ”When I first got my Ulike Laser Hair Removal Device, I was a bit nervous but excited to give it a try.

”As soon as I opened the box, I could tell this was a well-made device. Setting it up took a bit of time, but the instructions were super clear and easy to follow. Once I got the hang of it, using it became a breeze (pun intended).

”I’ve tried professional hair removal treatments before, so I was curious to see how this would compare.

”After just a few uses, I started seeing less hair growth and smoother skin. It was a huge relief to find that the process was virtually pain-free – just a slight cool touch which is nothing compared to waxing!

”One thing I really appreciated was how attentive the design is to user needs. The settings are easy to adjust, and the device is comfortable to hold and maneuver.

”Plus, it’s so convenient to do this at home without having to make appointments or drive to a salon.

”I have to admit, patience is key here. You won’t see overnight results, but with consistent use, the hair reduction is definitely noticeable.

The shopper continued: ”A fun bonus was that the device arrived in such sleek packaging – it felt like opening a gift!

”And speaking of gifts, this would make an excellent one for anyone tired of traditional hair removal methods.

”Overall, I’m super impressed with the Ulike Hair Removal Device. It’s effective, easy to use, and a real game-changer for my hair removal routine.”

And a second review read: ”As soon as you hold the box of this Ulike Laster Hair Removal, Air 10 IPL, you know you are getting a high-quality product.

”It comes with everything you need, including a thorough manual and a quick start guide. It has a storage bag, two power cord parts for powering it, a razor, and folding protective glasses.

”It feels substantial in your hand and is easy to use. I’ve had laser hair removal treatments done at a spa in the past and every zap was very painful, but this is not. Not at all.

”It feels cool on your skin and there is no pain at all. It is easy to use and it works. I highly recommend it.”

Looking for more beauty products on a budget?

Amazon has also slashed the cost of the Ulike Air 3 Laser Hair Removal device to less than $190.

All you have to do is add the Prime Day deal to your basket and use the code PDULIKEA3 at the checkout.

Alternatively, visit our Amazon Prime Day topic page to shop all of this year’s best Big Deal Days bargains.

Ulike Air 10 Laser Hair Removal, $399 $269 (with code PDULIKEA10) from Amazon

SHOPPERS are in for early holiday deals with Walmart’s 10-piece cookware set.

The kitchen equipment is now available at a reduced rate in the shop’s latest flash deal sale.

Walmart

Walmart shoppers can pick up a 10-piece stainless steel cookware set at 67% discount[/caption]

Walmart

The 10-piece cookware set is induction compatible and comes with detachable handles[/caption]

Walmart customers can pick up the large stainless steel set for just $49.98.

The white stainless steel version has been reduced by 67%, from $199.99.

Meanwhile the regular stainless steel appliances are currently on sale for $59.98 with the ceramic version clocking in at $59.99.

According to manufacturers, the Carote set is induction compatible, over safe, and rust resistant.

Included in the set are three sauce pans of varying sizes, a saute pan, and a frying pan.

These come with detachable handles and silicone lids and are designed for easy storage.

They are the optimal storage solution and can be stacked or nested in your press.

Each item is dishwasher safe and has been created with three-ply for quick heating.

Walmart describes the technology as “chef used and chef abused” with each pot designed to withstand temperatures of up to 600-degrees-Fahrenheit.

Each set contains a 10-inch frying pan, a 10-inch saute pan, a 4.2-quart stock pot, and a three-quart sauce pan.

The accessories include an eight-inch, nine-inch, and 10-inch silicone lid and two detachable handles.

Walmart shoppers shared their experiences with the set in the review section, where it earned an average rating of 4.5 stars.

“Been using them for months, incredibly practical with detachable handles. This became my favorite set,” wrote one customer.

“Handles function awesome when I need to move a hot pan around.”

“These are heavy duty. I love the idea that they stored in such a small space. They clean amazingly well,” said another person.

“They are nice and heavy weight I would say [they have] thicker bottoms than most pans out there.

“[I] 100% would recommend the quality of these, they were worth it.”

“I can’t believe that I bought such a great stainless steel cookware set [at] this price,” commented a third shopper.

“I searched a lot for new cookware set and finally found it. When I received [it], I was impressed by them, they are so nice but also affordable.”

“Higher quality than I expected for the price and definitely higher quality than what is found at the store for the same price,” wrote another person.

AN INCREDIBLE collection of ancient Viking treasure with a “highly unusual” surprise has been discovered by two Rookie “archaeologists” on a tiny island.

John Crowe and David O’Hare were busy exploring the British Isle of Man with their metal detector in hopes of making a ground-breaking discovery.

Not known, clear with picture desk

One of the coins from the impressive collection that is believed to be from the Viking era[/caption]

Not known, clear with picture desk

The amazing collection includes 36 silver coins that were minted in different locations in England[/caption]

Not known, clear with picture desk

Some of them were created under the reign of Edward the Confessor, the king of England from 1042 to 1066[/caption]

And to their incredible luck, they managed to unearth a hoard of ancient Viking-era coins – with some of them still in their original form.

The amazing collection includes 36 silver coins that were minted in different locations in England – and span from around 1000 to 1065 CE.

Experts found the coins came from locations like York, London, Lincoln, Cambridge, Hastings, Ipswich and Exeter.

Some of them were created under the reign of Edward the Confessor, the king of England from 1042 to 1066, Smithsonian magazine reports.

Others were minted when  Canute the Great ruled England from 1016 to 1035 and formed the North Sea empire by unifying England, Denmark and Norway.

The collection also includes some Irish coins that experts claim were produced in a mint in Dublin close to 1014.

Kristin Bornholdt Collins, a leading expert in Viking Age coins who carefully studied the discovery, said: “This important hoard was likely assembled in two or more stages, with the earlier English and Irish coins deposited together in the first instance, and the later coins dating to Edward the Confessor added later.

“This new hoard might be compared to a wallet containing all kinds of credit cards, notes and coins, perhaps of different nationalities, such as when you prepare to travel overseas.”

The impressive hoard, which was abandoned at least 1,000 years ago, has now been declared an official treasure.

Allison Fox, Curator for Archaeology for Manx National Heritage, said: “This is a wonderful find which helps further our understanding of the complex Viking Age economy in the Isle of Man.

Kristin said while it was an incredible discovery, it was also “highly unusual” to find so many coins made from such diverse materials that date back to the Viking Age.

She said this will provide a “rare chance” to study such ancient artefacts in depth.

She added: “The hoards provide a rare chance to study the contents side by side, right down to the detail of the dies used to strike the coins.

“Having this much closely dated comparative material from separate finds is highly unusual.”

Meanwhile, an ancient set of teeth from the Viking era has revealed signs of a brutal “initiation ritual” that marked their social identities.

Damnnig new evidence found after studying 1000-year-old remains of a man shows the Vikings filled horizontal grooves into the teeth that apparently helped them to identify as merchant men.

Archaeologists Matthias Toplak of the Viking Museum Haithabu and Lukas Kerk of the University of Münster in Germany found the bizarre tooth filings in the remains of 130 males from the Baltic isle of Gotland.

Masterfully filled horizontal grooves have been found inside the skulls of men from Sweden and Denmark in a practice that experts think may have persisted for years.

Research suggests that these teeth fillings were found in places known to support trading – and that all individuals with filed teeth appear to be adult men.

They have been analyzing the modifications closely, looking for a possible explanation for the bizarre methods.

Scientists previously thought tattoos were the only form of body modification used in the Viking age, but now suggest that Vikings purposely deformed their skulls as well.

Instances of an intentional reshaping and elongation of the skull associated with the Viking Age have been found in three Gotland women.

THREE major grocery retailers have agreed to settle a civil law enforcement complaint.

The grocers involved — Safeway, Albertsons, and Vons — will pay nearly $4 million after being accused of false advertising and unfair competition.

Getty Images - Getty

Getty Images - Getty

Getty Images - Getty

The settlement stems from allegations that the grocers charged customers higher prices than advertised at their California locations.

Safeway, Albertsons, and Vons were found to have inaccurate weights on some of their product labels, according to SupermarketNews.

The lawsuit claims that several products sold by weight, including produce, meats, and baked goods, contained less product than the labels indicated.

These violations, along with overcharging at checkout, prompted legal action from California’s Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.

“Trusting companies to sell products to consumers that are accurately weighed and priced, especially in today’s economy, is a priority to my office,” said Rodriquez, per the outlet.

MORE TO KNOW

The settlement also includes an injunction preventing the grocers from engaging in false or misleading advertising and banning 14 different unfair practices.

This includes misrepresenting product weights or failing to disclose exclusions in promotional programs.

This includes promos like “Just for U” or club card discounts.

As part of the resolution, the grocery chains must implement a price accuracy program to prevent future overcharging.

The program offers compensation of up to $5 to customers who report discrepancies between the advertised price and the price charged at checkout.

Safeway, Albertsons, and Vons operate 589 stores throughout California.

ON DEFENSE

In a related development, Rodney McMullen, CEO of Kroger, defended the company’s proposed $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons during a federal court hearing last month.

McMullen argued that the merger would help the combined grocery giant lower prices and better compete with large-scale retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon.

The deal has faced legal challenges from the Federal Trade Commission, which is seeking to block the merger with a preliminary injunction.

The FTC argues that the merger could reduce competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.

McMullen, however, remains optimistic, telling the court, “The day that we merge is the day that we will begin lowering prices.”

He also addressed concerns about potential store closures, stating that Kroger has no immediate plans to shut down any branches if the merger is approved.

However, future adjustments may be considered for optimal location management.

The merger, if completed, would combine Kroger’s 2,800 stores across 35 states with Albertsons’ 2,273 locations in 34 states, creating a workforce of approximately 710,000 employees.

This merger is poised to be the largest grocery chain consolidation in US history.