Page 28 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
P. 28
C. TODAY
Outsmart and Shop Smart:
Fighting Counterfeit Goods
During the Holidays
Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving – is
By Kasie Brill known as the start of the holiday shopping
U.S. Chamber of Commerce season for Americans. It’s when retailers delight
customers with bargain prices, waive shipping
Quick Takeaways: fees, and extend their business hours. But, during
• The U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer Americans will be
Policy Center (GIPC) is raising awareness lining up for the in-store experience and will click
about counterfeit goods, the dangers of fake their way to bargains instead.
products, and the prevalence of online fraud
and scams—which costs the global economy Already, major retailers signaled that they are
over $500 billion a year. releasing their best deals right now, hoping to
• During the global pandemic, prevent tightly packed lines and crowded stores,
consumers are ramping up their online as well as more expensive logistics and shipping
purchasing and counterfeiters are exploiting costs. They’re warning consumers: Shop early and,
this trend. Criminals have adapted to our if you can, shop online.
new online-shopping standard, and it’s more
important than ever for consumers to remain Consumers are taking heed. Some estimates
vigilant. suggest online holiday sales will grow up to 35%
• Help us keep small business and this year over last – online sales for retailers in
consumers safe this winter by sharing the popular gift categories will see a serious surge,
ShopSmart Toolkit on your social media with health and beauty sales up 23%, consumer
channels, website, or with your networks. electronics up 20%, and fashion up 19% by the end
of the year.
While great news for American business and for
the American economy, it is also a ripe opportunity
for counterfeiters. Criminals have adapted to
our new online-shopping normal, and created
convincing online imagery and schemes to trick
consumers into buying their fake goods.
Consider the popular gifting categories mentioned
earlier: health and beauty, consumer electronics,
and fashion.
Counterfeit cosmetics have been found to contain
high levels of mercury, arsenic, and even traces
of urine and feces, all of which can cause severe
allergic reactions and possible long-term harm to
your skin, eyes, and hair. Counterfeit electronics,
like phone charges and battery-powered gadgets,
can explode, melt, or catch fire. Counterfeit
clothing, too, often fails fire safety standards, not
to mention fastenings, dyes, and other materials
25 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
Outsmart and Shop Smart:
Fighting Counterfeit Goods
During the Holidays
Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving – is
By Kasie Brill known as the start of the holiday shopping
U.S. Chamber of Commerce season for Americans. It’s when retailers delight
customers with bargain prices, waive shipping
Quick Takeaways: fees, and extend their business hours. But, during
• The U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer Americans will be
Policy Center (GIPC) is raising awareness lining up for the in-store experience and will click
about counterfeit goods, the dangers of fake their way to bargains instead.
products, and the prevalence of online fraud
and scams—which costs the global economy Already, major retailers signaled that they are
over $500 billion a year. releasing their best deals right now, hoping to
• During the global pandemic, prevent tightly packed lines and crowded stores,
consumers are ramping up their online as well as more expensive logistics and shipping
purchasing and counterfeiters are exploiting costs. They’re warning consumers: Shop early and,
this trend. Criminals have adapted to our if you can, shop online.
new online-shopping standard, and it’s more
important than ever for consumers to remain Consumers are taking heed. Some estimates
vigilant. suggest online holiday sales will grow up to 35%
• Help us keep small business and this year over last – online sales for retailers in
consumers safe this winter by sharing the popular gift categories will see a serious surge,
ShopSmart Toolkit on your social media with health and beauty sales up 23%, consumer
channels, website, or with your networks. electronics up 20%, and fashion up 19% by the end
of the year.
While great news for American business and for
the American economy, it is also a ripe opportunity
for counterfeiters. Criminals have adapted to
our new online-shopping normal, and created
convincing online imagery and schemes to trick
consumers into buying their fake goods.
Consider the popular gifting categories mentioned
earlier: health and beauty, consumer electronics,
and fashion.
Counterfeit cosmetics have been found to contain
high levels of mercury, arsenic, and even traces
of urine and feces, all of which can cause severe
allergic reactions and possible long-term harm to
your skin, eyes, and hair. Counterfeit electronics,
like phone charges and battery-powered gadgets,
can explode, melt, or catch fire. Counterfeit
clothing, too, often fails fire safety standards, not
to mention fastenings, dyes, and other materials
25 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
