Retailers in Australia oppose one key term in pending price-gouging laws , with major grocers flagging margin pressures after reporting weaker sales. Comparable sales fell three per cent while its quarterly sales slipped 1.7 per cent.

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

Meanwhile, UK competition experts see parallels between supermarket price debates and possible upcoming official moves .

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