Retailers in Australia oppose a single clause in draft pricing rules , with major grocers flagging margin pressures after reporting weaker sales. Comparable sales fell three per cent while Woolworths said its sales slipped 1.7 per cent last quarter .

In the Korean port city, the ruling party proposed new draft legislation requiring beach operators to post mandatory fees to prevent seasonal price hikes .

Meanwhile, UK competition experts see parallels between supermarket price debates and possible Burnham government policies .

The proposals come as governments worldwide seek tools to curb sudden price surges.