Market flooded with fake cosmetic products

KATHMANDU, May 30: The market is flooded with fake products imitating different cosmetics brands. More than 85 percent of the cosmetic and skin care products available in the market happen to be fake versions of original brands, according to traders.[break]



Most of the cosmetic stores in places like Mahabouddha, Makhan, Kichapokhari and New Road are selling duplicate versions of various cosmetic brands.



Fake beauty products like face creams, body lotions, shampoos and hair color imitating leading brands like Olay, Garnier, Enchanter, Johnson and Johnson, Nivea and Revlon are available in those areas as well as other small cosmetic kiosks and some department stores.



“Fake beauty products come from countries like China, Cambodia, South Korea and India among others,” said Sankalp Poddar, marketing strategy and planner at United Distributor Nepal -- the authorized distributor of Olay, Head and Shoulder, Pantene and Rejoice cosmetic products for Nepal.



Poddar said lack of proper market regulation and consumer awareness were the major reasons behind increasing flow of fake beauty products through Biratnagar, Raxual and Tatopani.







Traders say customers are facing problems like skin rashes and allergy because of the use of fake cosmetic products.



Though United Distributors has set up exclusive outlets in leading department stores for the sale of Olay beauty products, more than 80 percent of Olay products found in the market are the imitated versions.



“Many stores in and around New Road are selling fake Olay products in high. We´ve been failing to take action against wrongdoers because of the absence of necessary rules and regulations to monitor and control market anomalies,” added Poddar.



Olay is a Thai brand and its anti-aging cream is priced at Rs 795 for a 50 ml pack. According to Poddar, the original Olay products have label in Thai language and do not have maximum retail price (MRP). But the fake Olay products have label in English language and has maximum retail price of IRs 699.



“We have found stores selling fake products bought at Rs 90 or Rs 100 for as high as Rs 700,” said a trader, who has been selling cosmetic products in Gongabu for the past nine years.



“Olay products don´t come from India. Stores are openly selling fake Olay products with MRP in Indian currency.” The best way to avoid fake cosmetic products is to buy such products only from leading department stores or exclusive outlets of those products.



“One shouldn´t expect small stores to sell original products as they are very expensive,” Poddar said.

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