By Richard Dyson And Neil Craven
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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.'
Edible oil, wheat prices decline - DAWN Group
ONE of the significant developments in the wholesale commodity market last week was slight reduction in prices of edible oil products followed by minor decline in rates of wheat and gram pulse.
Traders said that due lacklustre trading, the wholesale market had failed in luring retailers to lift items in bulk quantities even at the falling prices.
They said supplies from areas of production and imports continued to show improvement but the market lacked buyers’ interest.
Former Chairman, Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association, Abdul Majeed Haji Mohammad said that palm olien rate had fallen to $975 per ton (C&F Karachi) from $1,010 on June 8 while rate of RBD palm oil fell to $970 from $980 per ton.
He said reports of elections in Greece and Euro crisis continued to hover around prices of commodities including edible, while falling crude oil prices also made its impact on prices of commodities.
Prices of palm olien in the local market plunged to Rs4,750 per maund from Rs5,000 while that of RBD palm oil fell to Rs4,600 from Rs4,950 per maund. Mr Majeed said palm oil prices may witness some change after the Greece elections.
Local sales of edible oil and ghee remained slow owing to thin consumer demand. He said sale of ghee and cooking oil would pick up with the advent of Ramazan from the third week of July.
In commodities, traders said, rate of pulses remained unchanged except for slight decline in rates of gram pulse, while rate of sugar remained stable due to improved supplies from mills. Rice prices also held unchanged.
The next week for the wholesale market of essential commodities was crucial as consumers expected fall in prices of grocery items following reduction in fuel prices and the consequent cut in transportation charges.
However, there was difference of opinion among traders and they offered mixed views over the passing of any impact of cut in fuel prices.
Huge supplies of commodities arrive on diesel-powered trucks from upcountry while a number of transporters operate on CNG for transportation of commodities to various city markets. The rate of diesel has been reduced by Rs6.08 per litre and CNG by
Rs4.82 per kg.
Wholesalers believed that Rs5 per litre cut in diesel price made an impact of Re1 per kg of commodities in wholesale market on account of low transportation charges. However, this time the relief was more than Rs6 per litre on diesel.
General Secretary, Karachi Retail Grocers Group, Farid Qureish, however, was not optimistic in seeing any relief to consumers.
“Persistent devaluation of the rupee against the dollar is constantly increasing the cost of imported goods,” he said ruling out any noticeable decline in prices in terms of diesel price drop. However, he said much would depend on price cut in the wholesale market.
Chairman, Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association, Anis Majeed anticipated at least Rs1.50 per kg cut in prices of essential items like rice, wheat, pulses, sugar etc.
“The price drop looks possible next week as the markets are already facing thin presence of buyers due to lack of demand,” he said.
“Frankly speaking the wholesale market has not yet witnessed any negative impact of currency devaluation,” he said adding that one dollar is now equal to Rs94.40 in inter bank market as compared to Rs91 last month. Earlier this year it was Rs89.
Many people in the market feel that retailers usually do not slash prices despite fall in wholesale prices which is evident from the existing sharp difference between wholesale and retail prices. They said the government should take retailers to task for overcharging.—Aamir Shafaat Khan
Holiday shopping debate heats up - Toronto Sun
Toronto retailers are getting ready to talk shop with the city as Toronto councillors prepare to determine which merchants can do business on holidays.
The economic development department is looking at revamping its current holiday shopping bylaw through a series of public consultations scheduled for this week at civic centres. Previous meetings since last November saw a divide between retailers whether to open or close on public holidays.
“We need a set of rules that are fair and equitable,” said Councillor Mary Fragedakis, who heads the city’s Holiday Shopping Subcommittee. “We have heard from people out there who feel it’s not fair.”
Under the current municipal code, stores must close on nine public or retail holidays, which include Christmas, Easter Sunday, Canada Day and Thanksgiving.
Toronto’s municipal code, however, allows stores in designated toursim areas to remain open.
As it stands now, only five business districts in Toronto are designated as tourist zones: Queens Quay W., Toronto Eaton Centre and Hudson’s Bay Company, downtown Yonge St., Bloor-Yorkville and the Distillery District.
Some businesses outside of those zones said they should get the same opportunity to cash in on sales.
“I’d like to open on holidays,” said Jangchup Dorjee, the owner of Potala Gift Shop on Queen St. E. in the Beach.
“If we can’t open, we can’t pay the rent. On holidays, people shop and we can’t open. On weekdays, it’s empty and we’re open. It doesn’t make sense.”
Thousands head to the Beach for the annual Easter parade and many shopkeepers have defied the holiday shopping law in the past, risking a fine by opening their registers.
On the flipside, other retailers in the tourist districts said it might be nice to have a day off on a holiday.
“It’d be nice to spend some time with family,” said one man at a Yonge St. clothing store.
A restaurateur in the downtown Yonge St. zone said holiday shopping on helps his business, which is legally allowed to stay open 365 days a years.
“If the Eaton Centre is open on holidays where most other retailers are not, they’ll flock here and for us, it can only help,” said Khoa Dao, manager of Asian Bowl on Yonge St.
The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, which represents 32,000 Toronto businesses and property owners, has been trying to designate all BIAs as “holiday-shopping exempt” for years. The association said this same issue has been heard at city council twice in the past three years without progress.
“This issue is a bit of a political hot potato,” said TABIA executive director John Kiru.
“Other regions have moved forward. Square One and Pacific Mall are tourist attractions. Pacific Mall is not much more of a tourist site as Yorkdale Mall, and yet, Yorkdale has to stay closed.”
Kiru noted he has received mixed feedback from his members on holiday shopping, but it’s about “ability to choose.”
A report on this week’s consultations will go to the economic development committee in the fall. City council will have the final say.
“I’m not sure if (an amendment) will be ready for the holiday season this year,” Fragedakis said. “It’s possible it could be.”
To find out when and where the consultations are taking place, go to: toronto.ca/holidayshopping.
Wholesale Jewelry Made In China And Then Handmake Fashion Jewelry - PRLog (free press release)
Broadway Shopping Centre death: security guard Hans was a 'very nice' man - Sydney Morning Herald
Staff at Broadway Shopping Centre have described a security guard killed in an alleged bashing overnight as a "very nice" man, as a couple faced court charged with manslaughter.
Witnesses said Hans Schulz, 69, was kicked and punched several times when he confronted a couple who had allegedly broken into Wendy's ice-cream shop on the ground floor about 8.10pm, police said in a statement.
Svetlana Avrashkova, 27, from Maroubra, and Adrian Gallaher, 32, from Randwick, were later arrested at a bus stop at Railway Square.
Police at the scene ... two people have been charged with manslaughter following the death of security guard Hans Schulz. Photo: Esther Han
Superintendent Michael O'Toole said Mr Schulz was the victim of an attack after he approached the couple, who had just bought groceries from Coles.
"It's certainly an attack that was uncalled for and it's vicious in that this man has been struck several times," Superintendent O'Toole told reporters.
Mr Schulz was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he died a short time later.
Security guard death ... NSW police dust for fingerprints. Photo: Esther Han
A worker from a nearby sushi shop said she saw Mr Schulz get kicked in the head.
"Then he fell to the ground and his face changed colour. It went blue," she said.
She said she knew the man because she would see him at work on Sundays, but she did not know his name.
"Very nice" man ... Hans Schulz.
"He was very nice. I feel very sorry for him."
The couple appeared in Newtown Local Court this morning. They did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
The charge sheet said Gallaher allegedly punched Schulz in the head, while Avrashkova allegedly kicked him in the head.
Their legal representation, Fiona McCarron, said both had exercised their right to come back before the court in seven days so the matter was adjourned. Both had requested medical attention.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Police said they were also trying to track down a third person, identified as Raelene from Surry Hills, but she was wanted only as a witness, not for arrest.
Raelene is aged in her mid 30s, caucasian, 165cm tall, with a thin build. She was wearing a black hooded jacket and dark pants at the time.
It was unclear why the couple had allegedly broken into Wendy's, police said.
"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," Detective Inspector Paul Pisanos of Leichhardt Local Area Command said yesterday.
Police sealed off the area last night, photographing and taking fingerprints.
In a statement Broadway Shopping Centre said: "Our condolences are extended to the family and friends of the security guard who lost his life in this tragic event."
- with Glenda Kwek
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