Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine April Issue 2019 | Page 66

RETAIL CURRENT TO ADVERTISE GOING TO A GOOD EVENT? Contact Rani Mahendru +91-11-47390000 (512) [email protected] Send your industry gossip, photos and news to [email protected] 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.