A recent investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has brought national attention to a topic we at Data-Label.co.uk know all too well: the importance of clear, honest, and transparent labelling.
Following Ticketmaster’s sale of Oasis reunion tour tickets, the CMA found that fans may have been misled by the way tickets were labelled and priced. While this may seem a world away from product or asset labelling, the underlying issue is exactly the same—labelling that confuses or misleads the end user can erode trust and lead to regulatory consequences.
What Went Wrong?
The CMA raised two key concerns:
- Misleading “Platinum” Tickets: These were priced at nearly 2.5x the cost of regular seats, yet provided no additional benefits or better views. The only difference was the label.
- Lack of Transparency in Standing Ticket Prices: Ticketmaster did not make it clear that cheaper standing tickets had sold out before higher-priced ones were listed, leaving fans confused about the sudden price hikes.
The Role of Labelling in Building Trust
Just like in the ticketing world, consumers and businesses in retail, logistics, healthcare and manufacturing rely on clear, accurate labelling to make informed decisions. At Data-Label, we help clients meet rigorous standards to ensure:
- Product authenticity and traceability
- Compliance with consumer protection laws and ISO/BSI standards
- A seamless user experience from checkout to delivery
Whether it’s a barcode, tamper-evident security label or a custom product tag, the label is often the first and most trusted piece of information a customer sees.
Regulation is Catching Up—Fast
The Ticketmaster investigation isn’t an isolated incident. From April 6, 2025, the CMA will have expanded powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, allowing it to impose fines of up to 10% of turnover for breaches of consumer law.
That’s a clear warning for all industries: inaccurate labelling can now carry serious financial risk.
What Businesses Can Learn
The takeaway for businesses? Whether you’re selling physical goods or digital experiences, labelling isn’t just about organisation—it’s about honesty. Misleading labelling can lead to fines, lost customers, and reputational damage.
If Ticketmaster, a global platform, can come under scrutiny for its labelling practices, so can any business.
Trust Built on Transparency
At Data-Label, we’ve been helping UK businesses build trust through labelling for over 30 years. From durable asset tags to retail price labels, we offer solutions that not only look professional but also meet the compliance standards that matter.
Want to ensure your labelling is doing its job—and protecting your business?
👉 Explore our labelling solutions here or contact our team for expert advice.
Written by the team at Data-Label.co.uk – Specialists in custom and compliant labelling solutions since 1985.