Hong Kong Cracks Down on Aggressive Sales Tactics in Beauty Industry
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong authorities are cracking down on aggressive sales tactics in the beauty industry following a wave of complaints. The Customs and Excise Department has received 38 calls for help linked to beauty chain Opatra London, with reported losses totalling more than HK$3 million. Three people have been arrested so far, and an 88-year-old woman was left out of pocket HK$100,000 after a salesperson retained her credit card and swiped it multiple times within hours.
Key Points
- An 88-year-old woman had her credit card withheld by a salesperson at a department store, resulting in unauthorized charges of HK$100,000 for skincare products, a device and treatment sessions .
- The controversy centres on beauty chain Opatra London, where a customer claimed she was pressured into transactions exceeding HK$60,000 at a local outlet .
- The Customs and Excise Department received 38 calls for help related to the chain, with individual losses ranging from HK$1,800 to over HK$200,000 .
- The scandal erupted after a viral video showed a woman crying outside an outlet at New Town Plaza shopping centre, claiming she had been cheated .
- UK-based Opatra London stated that its Hong Kong operation is independently owned and run by a local distributor .
Why It Matters
The wave of complaints exposes a long-standing culture of high-pressure selling among certain traders that erodes consumer confidence and undermines legitimate businesses in the beauty industry . As authorities continue enforcement action, the industry faces renewed calls for stronger consumer protection measures.
The wave of complaints exposes a long-standing culture of high-pressure selling among certain traders that erodes consumer confidence and undermines legitimate businesses in the beauty industry . As authorities continue enforcement action, the industry faces renewed calls for stronger consumer protection measures.