Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine April Issue 2019 | Page 66
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Amazon unveils new tool to check counterfeit goods
Amazon has come up with a new
initiative to crack down on the
sale of counterfeit goods on its
platform. The new initiative would
allow brands to take down listings
of fake merchandise themselves. manufacturers to remove listings
of sellers of counterfeit goods.
Amazon said it is testing the new
feature on an ‘invite only’ basis
with brands ahead of what it
expects to be a broader rollout.
The programme dubbed as
Project Zero uses a combination
of technological tools and
co-operation with brand “Our aim is that customers always
receive authentic goods when
shopping on Amazon,” the US
online giant said in a statement.
“Project Zero builds on our long-
standing work and investments in
this area. It allows brands to work
with us to leverage our combined
strengths to move quickly and
at scale to drive counterfeits to
zero,” Amazon added.
Amazon said the new effort
includes stepping up use of its
own machine learning technology
to scan for suspected imitation
goods. Additionally, brands that
participate in the programme will
use ‘product serialisation’ codes
to authenticate products in the
manufacturing process, and those
firms will be able to take action
themselves to remove counterfeit
goods listings.
“Previously, brands would need to
report a counterfeit to Amazon,
and we would then investigate
these reports and take action,”
the Amazon statement said,
adding, “With Project Zero, brands
no longer need to contact us
to remove a counterfeit listing.
Instead, they can do so, quickly
and easily, using our new self-
service tool.”
Amazon said its tests have
stopped 100 times more suspected
counterfeit products than under its
previous system of removal based
on reports from brands.
Companies participating in the
programme include the luggage
and handbag maker Vera
Bradley, automotive accessory
manufacturer Kenu and pet
accessory brands Thunderworks
and ChomChom Roller.
“Project Zero, with its automated
protection and the self-service
removal of counterfeit products, is
a significant development that will
help ensure our customers receive
authentic Vera Bradley products
from Amazon,” said Mark Dely,
Chief Legal and Administrator
Officer of the company.
Ted Baker Founder and CEO resigns after
‘misconduct' allegations
Ted Baker Plc Founder and Chief
Executive Officer Ray Kelvin has
resigned from the UK apparel
chain following misconduct
allegations that he enforced a
‘hugging’ culture at the company.
Kelvin, who founded the
company in 1988, had taken
a voluntary leave of absence
from the CEO role in December
as the board hired law firm
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP to
investigate allegations that he
gave workers unwanted hugs
and asked female employees to
sit on his knee. He has denied
the accusations.
Ted Baker had announced an
independent investigation into
the matter in response to an
online campaign claiming to
represent over 200 employees
asking to end ‘forced hugging’
and ‘a culture that leaves
harassment unchallenged’.
“In light of the allegations
made against him, Ray has
decided that it is in the best
interests of the company
for him to resign so that the
business can move forward
under new leadership,” said
David Bernstein, Executive
Chairman, Ted Baker.
66 Apparel Online Bangladesh | APRIL 2019 | www.apparelresources.com
The British fashion retailer said the
investigation would continue until
the end of the first quarter or early
in the second with the focus turning
to Ted Baker’s policies, procedures
and handling of complaints.