RETAIL ADVERTISING AND MARKETING PRACTICES
Columbus City Codes tit. 29, ch. 2939
in effectColumbus City Codes § 2939.02 Available stock.
2939.02 - Available stock.
No person shall advertise for sale, food, grocery products or other merchandise as being sold at a certain price unless the advertised food, grocery products, or other merchandise are in stock and readily available marked for sale at the advertised price in all of such person's stores located within the area in which food, grocery products, or other merchandise is advertised.
"In stock and readily available" means either displayed in plain sight within the person's store or capable of being obtained upon request at such store. If the merchandise is not in plain sight, adequate notice must be given in the store that the merchandise is available upon request at the advertised price.
However, it shall constitute a defense to a charge under this section if the retailer maintains records sufficient to show that the advertised products were not "loss leaders." "Loss leaders" means foods, grocery products, or other merchandise sold at a price lower than its cost.
Provided, further, that it shall constitute a defense to a charge under this section if the retailer maintains records sufficient to show that the advertised products were ordered in adequate time for delivery and delivered to the store in quantities sufficient to meet reasonably anticipated demand.
Provided, further, that there shall be no violation of this section or Section 2939.03 if such person clearly and conspicuously and specifically discloses in all such advertisements all exceptions and/or limitations or restrictions with respect to stores, products or prices otherwise included within the advertisements. However, general disclaimers, including but not limited to, "not available in all stores," do not comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
(Ord. 1545-71; Ord. 1132-2008 Attach. (part).)
Columbus City Codes § 2939.03 Advertised prices.
2939.03 - Advertised prices.
No person shall fail to make items advertised for sale below cost conspicuously and readily available for sale at or below the advertised price.
(Ord. 1545-71.)
Columbus City Codes § 2939.04 Bait advertising.
2939.04 - Bait advertising.
No person shall in any manner, or by any means of advertisement, or other means of communication, offer for sale any food products, merchandise, commodity or service, as part of a plan or scheme with the intent, design or purpose not to sell such food products, merchandise, commodity or service so advertised.
(Ord. 1545-71.)
Columbus City Codes § 2939.05 False or misleading advertising.
2939.05 - False or misleading advertising.
No person shall, with intent directly or indirectly to dispose of real or personal property or to perform services, professional or otherwise, or anything of any nature whatsoever or to induce the public to enter into any obligation relating thereto, make or disseminate or cause to be made or disseminated before the public in any newspaper or other publication, or any advertising device, or by public outcry or proclamation, or in any other manner or means whatever, any statement, concerning such real or personal property, or services, professional or otherwise or concerning any circumstances or matter of fact connected with the proposed disposition thereof, which is untrue, deceptive or misleading.
No person shall make or disseminate or cause to be made or disseminated any false or misleading statement as part of a plan or scheme with intent not to sell such personal property or services, professional or otherwise, so advertised at the price stated therein, or as so advertised.
(Ord. 1545-71.)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT29WEMECO_CH2939READMAPRFetched: 10/27/2026