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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Consumer protection in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Consumer Council is a watchdog focused on consumer rights and welfare.
A Consumer Council survey has found that some supermarket promotions offered less value than their labels suggested. Photo: Edmond So
A Consumer Council survey has found that some supermarket promotions offered less value than their labels suggested. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

Hong Kong consumer watchdog questions supermarkets’ buy one, get one free deals

Consumer Council urges shoppers to compare unit prices after finding some offers provide smaller-than-expected discounts or no savings at all.

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Hong Kong

Huge gaps in sanitary pad absorption speeds, over half poorly labelled: watchdog

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Supplier to end classroom lunch portioning at Sha Tin school after 39 fall ill

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to table cooling-off period bill for beauty, fitness deals by mid-2027

Commerce chief Algernon Yau says both sectors supported seven-day cooling-off period but differed on exemption thresholds.

A fitness center at Tsim Sha Tsui. The government has proposed a seven-day cooling-off period for prepaid beauty and fitness contracts. Photo: Jelly Tse
A woman receives a face massage at a spa. The government’s proposal also included imposing a two-year limit on contract duration, and giving customs powers to handle cases involving the wrongful acceptance of payment. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong restaurant prosecuted after live newborn rat found in takeaway food

Food safety officials uncover unsatisfactory hygiene conditions after diner finds live baby rat covered among beef noodles.

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Crime in Hong Kong

IVF clinic’s embryo specimen mix-up linked to ‘intentional unlawful conduct’

Watchdog says it has ordered Heal Fertility to comply with law and code of practice to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong’s fight against aggressive sales tactics is far from over

The latest cases are reminders that high-pressure selling has not disappeared and underline the need for stronger consumer safeguards.

Customs officers arrest a 43-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman in connection with aggressive sales tactics on August 19. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

How Hong Kong beauty retail tactics echo global Dead Sea sales scams

WikiLeaks files reveal pushy sales operations for Dead Sea beauty products have been problematic in several countries for decades.

Crime in Hong Kong

Opatra London and Hong Kong distributor suspend local operations after arrests

Beauty product company stresses local retailer functions independently after managers arrested over allegations of aggressive sales tactics.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong beauty sector faces new claims of hard-sell tactics and abuse

Legal experts warn aggressive sales tactics may breach Trade Descriptions Ordinance prohibiting harassment, coercion and misleading claims.

The Mineral Boutique has at least five branches in major shopping centres, including one at Festival Walk. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong

Top executive at Opatra Hong Kong operator quits amid coercive sales probe

Check by SCMP found Sayles Retail filed Notice of Resignation of Company Secretary and Director with Companies Registry on Wednesday.

The Lux Boutique outlet at Harbour City has it windows covered and door locked on Thursday. Photo: Karma Lo
Crime in Hong Kong

Customs arrests 2 over aggressive sales tactics at Opatra-branded shops

Arrests mark the first linked to the brand following mounting complaints and viral video of distressed customer.

Hong Kong society

Inside the playbook used to dupe Hongkongers into making big beauty product buys

Recent controversy surrounding Opatra London and local distributors puts aggressive sales tactics by certain chains under media spotlight.

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Hong Kong society

Opatra London distances itself from Hong Kong firm over deceptive sales allegations

London-based beauty chain says it deeply regrets if any customers have had ‘a distressing experience associated with our brand’.

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A shuttered branch of Opatra London on Russell Street in Causeway Bay. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Customs steps in over claims beauty chain Opatra cheated woman out of HK$60,000

Woman, 58, claimed she bought HK$61,400 worth of products at Sha Tin outlet and questioned sales practices, police say.

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Opatra London’s 4,700 sq ft outlet on Russell Street in Causeway Bay. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong baby food producer recalls pastas over rice weevil scare

Baby Basic said it had removed all products that might have been affected from store shelves and also suspended production of the pastas.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong parents rush babies for check-ups over infant formula lead scare

Mother tells SCMP that her five-month-old baby is in hospital for observation after consuming Friso batch flagged by Macau authorities.

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Hong Kong

Over half of tested reading specs fail to list key details to prevent eye strain

Consumer Council tested 17 models of ready-to-wear reading glasses between January and May this year.

The watchdog found that most glasses lacked the labelling and warning statements required under European standards. Photo: Getty Images
Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Watchdog urges pet owners to be mindful of terms and conditions of insurance plans

Consumer Council issues warning less than week after more than 900 restaurants legally allowed to welcome dogs on premises.

Hong Kong

Customers seeking refunds during cooling-off period will need to pay admin fee

Under proposed changes, customers should shoulder a percentage of the total sum when they apply to cancel a contract, government says.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong IVF clinic ordered to halt most services after embryo specimen errors

Clinic apologises to affected clients and says it has set up an internal task force to conduct a review to improve procedures.

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Heal Fertility has a clinic in Central. Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong society

Editorial | In curbing hard-sell tactics, Hong Kong must strike a balance

The consultation period must be used to work out issues to ensure robust laws that protect consumers, yet allow honest operators to thrive.

People exercise in a gym in Choi Wan Estate on March 16. Photo: Dickson Lee
Crime in Hong Kong

Cyberattack on Hong Kong’s Shun Hing Group affects data of 1 million people

Personal information of more than 920,000 customers, including their names, addresses and email addresses, involved in breach.

Hong Kong economy

No plan to extend tighter rules to yoga and dance studios: Hong Kong official

Proposed rules would apply only to gyms and beauty parlours, which logged about 5,000 prepaid contract complaints over six years, official says.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong eyes cool-off period for beauty, gym deals to curb hard-sell tactics

Proposals aim at addressing enforcement gaps under Trade Descriptions Ordinance in sectors involving large prepayments and long-term contracts.

Complaints involving beauty and fitness services account for nearly 90 per cent of sectors most prone to improper selling practices, according to the government. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

Watchdog urges clearer terms as complaints about hotels near 1,000 annually

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council says hotels and online platforms should clearly spell out policies for refunds and booking changes.

The Consumer Council has called on hotels, guest houses and booking platforms to clearly define their respective responsibilities in the event of an amendment, cancellation or refund. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

Claw machine operators told to get a grip on player complaints after 760% jump

Consumer Council data shows number of grievances involving claw machines has risen from 16 to 138 over three years.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong parents warned of injury and choking risks from catapult and tangram toys

Customs also urges retailers to pull products from shelves after seizing 700 sets during operation.

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