In the case of Fisher v Bell [1961] 1 QB 394 (QB), a shopkeeper had a flick knife on display in his shop window accompanied by a ticket that read ‘Ejector knife—4s’. This led to charges against him for allegedly offering the knife for sale, which was deemed to contravene section 1(1) of the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959.
HOLDING:
The court’s ruling clarified that the act of displaying goods in a shop window with a price tag attached did not constitute a binding offer for sale but rather an invitation to treat. Therefore, the shopkeeper had not committed an offense since no actual offer for sale had been made by the display of the knife.
