And they explained why it is not necessary to buy “replicas” and “analogs”
The fight against counterfeiting in the consumer market has long become a global problem. However, a universal solution has not yet been found anywhere. Experts agree that the consumer and their attitude play a key role. How to convince buyers to refuse to purchase illegal goods was discussed at the thematic session of the Russian Retail Week Forum on Combating Illegal Trade.
Soft drinks, clothing, food – the problem of illegal circulation concerns these and many other categories. The sale of contraband, counterfeit or counterfeit goods brings a lot of money to international crime. Criminal groups ignoring any moral standards are doing everything to make money on cheap illegal products. This is especially noticeable on the example of the tobacco market, participants of the event said.
The share of “gray” cigarettes in Russia reached 10.7% in the 1st quarter of 2021, according to the results of an analytical study conducted by Kantar TNS. Today, deliveries from the EAEU countries remain the driver of growth in the illegal tobacco market in Russia.
Illegal tobacco can be found all over the country. The cost of a counterfeit pack is about 50-60 rubles, while legal cigarettes cannot be sold for less than 108 rubles. This is a single minimum price for legal tobacco, fully effective from July 1, 2021. But the main difference is in quality. The low price of counterfeit products is achieved due to the use of cheap, often second-rate raw materials, disruption of the production process, said Vladlen Maksimov, President of the Small Format Trade Association. According to the speaker, unscrupulous competitors ruin fair retail, which sells tobacco, observing the law and the prices set by the state.
“The imbalance in excise rates in Russia and the EAEU countries has been stimulating the illegal import of tobacco for several years. After a sharp increase in the rate in Russia by 20%, the situation has become more complicated. The consumer is in no hurry to quit smoking, and he has no more money. Demand for cheap gray cigarettes may rise. The consumer often does not understand what is behind these imaginary savings, ”explains Maksimov.
Today the consumer has enough opportunities to recognize tobacco counterfeit or smuggling. In addition to the indicator in the form of the minimum price, each pack in the free sale must have a digital code. You can check it through the “Honest Sign” mobile application. Scanning will show if you are holding an original product or illegal cigarettes.
Another risk posed by the growth of the shadow tobacco market is the promotion of adolescent smoking. “Studies have shown that in 8 out of 10 outlets where illegal cigarettes are sold, they are ready to sell them to minors. In a number of regions, minors are even involved in tobacco smuggling. They are told that participation in illegal actions will not threaten anything, and they will receive a lot of money for their “work”. Unfortunately, it really does attract teenagers. Some of them are not deterred even by being caught, and they come across again, ”says Svetlana Chernyshova, chair of the Public Council on Teenage Smoking. According to the expert, in order to combat this problem, it is necessary to conduct explanatory work and disclose all the negative consequences of participation in the shadow trade in cigarettes.
Another risk is online trading. However, the network can also be used to promote community initiatives. For example, the Stop Illegal Tobacco portal launched by the Illegal Trade Association. It is a specialized platform for informing and motivating all interested parties to actively fight the shadow cigarette market. Its audience is consumers, entrepreneurs, law enforcement officials, government officials who are concerned about the risk of growing illegal cigarette trafficking. At the Retail Week, the portal was openly supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
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