SELLING METRIC

A Guide For Retailers

Prepacked products are already sold by the gram or the kilogram, but many goods that are weighed and priced at the point of sale - at the checkout, counter or market stall - are still sold by the ounce or pound. By 1 January 2000, all loose goods must be weighed and priced in grams and kilograms.

The types of goods affected by this change include fruit and vegetables, meat and meat products like sausages and cooked meats, poultry, fish and other seafoods, and cheese and other dairy products. Non-food products sold loose by weight - such as nails - will also be affected. We have produced this leaflet to tell you about the latest changes and how they will affect you as a retailer.

Questions and answers

Q Why change the way loose goods are weighed?

A Since 1965, the United Kingdom has gradually been changing to the international system of metric weights and measures. Many goods still sold in pounds and ounces are already supplied wholesale in kilograms, so the changes will simplify the distribution chain. And because all prepacked goods are already sold in grams and kilograms, it will be easier for consumers to make direct price comparisons.

Q How do I prepare for 1 January 2000?

A If you sell loose goods:

• You must convert or replace your weighing machines which only show imperial pounds and ounces. Most machines can be converted. You can continue to use machines which show both sets of weights, provided the metric units are at least as prominent as the imperial units and used for every sale
• You must convert any computer systems and ticket-printing machines to grams and kilograms. Printed customer information about weights and prices - including labels, shelf-edges and point-of-sale displays - must refer to grams or kilograms
• If you use imperial iron weights with your machine, these must be replaced with metric weights
• You can continue to display customer information in ounces and pounds alongside, and in characters no larger than, the equivalent information in grams and kilograms
• You should make sure that you and your staff are familiar with pricing and weighing in grams and kilograms.
• You should contact your weighing machine supplier as soon as possible to talk about converting your existing equipment or buying a new weighing machine. For further advice on converting, you can also contact the United Kingdom Weighing Federation at Brooke House, Northampton on 01604 622023.

Q When should I start?

A From 1 January 2000, all weighed-out goods must be sold in grams and kilograms. You can change over sooner if this is more convenient for your business. If you decide to go metric before 1st January 2000, you must indicate the unit price of goods in grams and kilograms and pounds and ounces. Alternatively, you can display a clearly legible unit price conversion chart in a conspicuous position which will be available from Brent & Harrow Trading Standards Service.

Q How do I explain the change to my customers?

A There are a number of ways you can help your customers get used to the change:

• You can display a weight conversion chart and a unit price conversion chart, both available from Brent and Harrow Trading Standards (to businesses within the Boroughs)
• You can explain that because prepacked goods are already sold in grams and kilograms, the change will make it easier for consumers to make price comparisons
• You can display prices per quarter or per pound alongside but no more prominently than the metric unit prices

Q What if customers continue to ask for goods in ounces or pounds after I have switched to grams and kilograms?

A Simply supply the equivalent weight in grams or kilograms and let the customer know that’s what you’re doing. Be aware that if you raise your prices during metrication, you may be criticised by customers who may take their business elsewhere.

Q What about advertising?

A The changes also apply to weights and prices quoted in advertisements and on posters.

Q What if I do not want to change to metric?

A It is expected that most retailers will change to the new system without too much difficulty. However, it will be a criminal offence to continue to ignore metrication after 1st January 2000 with fines of up to £1000. Brent and Harrow Trading Standards will do everything they can to help you and understand that there may be some teething problems.

Q How do I get further advice?

A Contact us and a Trading Standards Officer will call you back within two working days.

Shopping metric

A Guide for Consumers

From ounces and pounds to grams and kilograms

Since 1965, the United Kingdom has been switching to the international system of metric weights and measures for many everyday uses. 90 per cent of the goods you buy are already sold in metric weights. Between now and the end of 1999, goods sold loose and weighed at the counter or the checkout will be changing from ounces and pounds to grams and kilograms.

We have produced this leaflet to tell you about this change and how it will affect you.

The change will make it easier for you to decide whether it is cheaper to buy goods loose or prepacked. But, if you are not yet familiar with grams and kilograms, you can still ask for the quantity you want in ounces and pounds.

Q What goods will be affected by the change?

A Any goods that are weighed for sale, whether on a market stall, at the checkout or at the delicatessen counter in a supermarket. Items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, cooked or raw meats, poultry, and fish. These items are already sold in grams and kilograms when prepacked.

Q What do I ask for?

A The change means that you can ask for goods in grams and kilograms. There are 1000 grams to 1 kilogram. The first column of the Weight Comparison chart printed here lists the main sub-divisions, from 50 grams (equivalent to approximately 1¾ ounces) to 1 kilogram (equivalent to approximately 2 pounds and 3 ounces). The chart also shows the imperial quantities most frequently requested and their approximate equivalent weight expressed in grams and kilograms.

If you prefer, you can carry on asking for your goods in ounces and pounds and the retailer will give you the metric equivalent.

Q Will prices change?

A You will pay the same price for the same quantity of product, regardless of whether you ask for it in grams and kilograms or ounces and pounds.

The price per 100 grams may look cheaper than the price per 4 ounces (¼ lb), and the price per kilogram may look more expensive than the price per pound. But this is because 100g is equivalent to approximately 3½oz, and 1kg is equivalent to approximately 2lb 3oz.

Price Conversion Chart - Kilogram to Pound

		PRICE CONVERSION CHART - KILOGRAM TO POUND
	Price per   Approx. kilogram   price per lb 5p             2p 10p           5p 15p           7p 20p           9p 25p           11p 30p           14p 35p           16p 40p           18p 45p           20p 50p           23p 55p           25p 60p           27p 65p           29p 70p           32p 75p           34p 80p           36p 85p           39p 90p           41p 95p           43p £1.00        45p £1.05        48p £1.10        50p £1.15        52p £1.20        54p £1.25        57p £1.30        59p £1.35        61p				Price per   Approx. kilogram   price per lb £1.40        64p £1.45        66p £1.50        68p £1.55        70p £1.60        73p £1.65        75p £1.70        77p £1.75        79p £1.80        82p £1.85        84p £1.90        86p £1.95        88p £2.00        91p £2.05        93p £2.10        95p £2.15        98p £2.20       £1.00 £2.25       £1.02 £2.30       £1.04 £2.35       £1.07 £2.40       £1.09 £2.45       £1.11 £2.50       £1.13 £2.55       £1.16 £2.60       £1.18 £2.65       £1.20 £2.70       £1.22				Price per   Approx. kilogram   price per lb £2.75      £1.25 £2.80      £1.27 £2.85      £1.29 £2.90      £1.32 £2.95      £1.34 £3.00      £1.36 £3.05      £1.38 £3.10      £1.41 £3.15      £1.43 £3.20      £1.45 £3.25      £1.47 £3.30      £1.50 £3.35      £1.52 £3.40      £1.54 £3.45      £1.56 £3.50      £1.59 £3.55      £1.61 £3.60      £1.63 £3.65      £1.66 £3.70      £1.68 £3.75      £1.70 £3.80      £1.72 £3.85      £1.75 £3.90      £1.77 £3.95      £1.79 £4.00      £1.81
			Nb. A kilogram is about 2.2lb

Price Conversion Chart - 100G to 1/4LB

		PRICE CONVERSION CHART - 100G TO 1/4LB
			Nb. 113g is approx. 1/4lb