By Richard Dyson And Neil Craven
|
Major stores risk unwittingly encouraging customers on to gambling or other inappropriate websites, experts have warned, as they highlight the growth of an ungoverned 'Wild West' world of online shopping.
The warnings follow the Mail on Sunday's revelations last week that dozens of high-street brands, including Boots, Marks & Spencer and Comet, advertised products on the controversial shopping-and-gambling website Yipiii.
Licensed by Maltese gaming authorities, Yipiii urges shoppers to gamble to win their shopping for nothing - rather than pay for it.
Shopping-and-gambling: Yipiii is indirectly affiliated with some major High St names
Following enquiries by the Mail on Sunday, many retailers, including those mentioned above, severed links with the site, saying they had never heard of Yipiii.
But marketing experts say The MoS has exposed the 'tip of the iceberg' and that household names might be unknowingly linked with other disturbing sites.
London firm Affiliate Window, part of a German-owned media group, is Britain's biggest affiliate agency and was the means through which Marks & Spencer and other brands became associated with Yipiii.
Spokesman Edwin MacFarlane said that while his firm could exclude sites operating illegally, it was the stores' responsibility to identify affiliates whose activities were legal but 'inappropriate'.
He said: 'Retailers should always be cautious when engaging in the affiliate space. They are agreeing to work with a concept, as opposed to a specific proposition.'
Bryan Roberts, of London retail consultancy Kantar, said: 'The internet is a Wild West. Technology and marketing are moving so fast that retailers risk associating with something that turns out to be less than palatable.
'It's uncharted water.'
Guard killed in shopping centre attack - Sydney Morning Herald
Security guard death ... NSW police dust for fingerprints. Photo: Esther Han
A SECURITY guard was fatally assaulted while trying to stop an attempted break-in inside the Broadway shopping centre in inner city Sydney last night.
A 28-year-old Maroubra woman and a 33-year-old Randwick man were taken into custody after being arrested with two young children at a bus stop near the centre shortly after the attack, police said.
The couple allegedly fled the centre after the assault on the 68-year-old guard. They were arrested on George Street, near Central railway station, a short time later.
Police at the scene ... two people have been arrested following the death of a security guard. Photo: Esther Han
Emergency services were called to the shopping centre on Bay Street, Broadway, about 8:15pm following reports of an assault.
The officers, from Leichhardt and Redfern Local Area Commands, found the security guard on the ground floor of the centre with serious injuries.
NSW Ambulance paramedics took him to nearby Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he died a short time later.
Detective Inspector Paul Pisanos, from the Leichhardt Command, said the guard was attacked after interrupting the couple. ''It's hard to say at this stage as to what their intentions were but they had certainly gained access to one of the shops after trading hours,'' he said.
Crime scene police sealed off the area and were photographing and fingerprinting the Wendy's ice-cream kiosk, which is situated in the middle of the ground floor.
The couple fled and police had arrested them at the George Street bus stop. Inspector Pisanos said relatives of the pair would be called to look after the children. ''The kids were with them, they're young. They were young kids,'' he said.
Police called for anyone who witnessed the incident, or the events leading up to it, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A report would be prepared for the coroner, police said.
Wholesale Jewelry Made In China And Then Handmake Fashion Jewelry - PRLog (free press release)
No comments:
Post a Comment