Action must « fake » and take dangerous toys from the racks: « They flirt with the minimum standard. They take more risks »
A Remarkable recall At Action. The store chain takes ‘My Little Pony Explore Equestria’ out of the racks and asks everyone who already bought it to bring them back to the store. The toy contains too many phthalates. These are plasticizers who are used to make plastics flexible, but who can be harmful to health if the standards are not respected. That came to light when a German consumer organization tested the things. « We immediately tested this analysis and agree with the findings, » said a spokesperson for Action. But what is more: « We have established that the toy is forged. »
The latter is striking. Because that means that there are more counterfeit products in the shelves? Is that the secret of their competitive prices, even on brand products? « How Action touches such cheap products is something that producers and other players have long been wondering, » says Pierre-Alexandre Billiet, economist and CEO of Kennis platform Gondola. « In the past there have really been problems with the quality. Action has therefore recently invested in their own research center; although they do not test all their products. » The Dutch company has evolved, says Billiet. “From one renegade He wants to make a profit to a company with a target, but not at all costs. That is also the big difference with players such as Shein and Temu, where you can buy toxic products. Action remains a European company, which gives you more guarantees as a customer. «
Other composition
Which does not mean that you always find exactly the same things from well -known brands as in other stores. « In the beginning, Action bought stocks that did not sell well in other countries, or from stores that went overhead. Ten years ago that has changed completely. They now sell such large volumes, that they negotiate directly with certain brands. Sometimes they sell to Action products with, for example, a different packaging, a slightly different composition or other taste or they want to sell a large volume.”
« For budget chains, the minimum standard becomes the goal. They are not under the norm, but they flirt with it. »
Pierre-Alexandre Billiet
Economist
Yet they take more risks, says Billiet. « If Europe imposes technical standards, then those are minimum standards that a product must meet in order not to be harmful to health. But for budget chains, that minimum standard becomes the target. They are not under the norm, but they flirt with it. For example, they want to offer an answer to consumers who want lower prices and will be willing to run a certain risk. »
« In relation to the number of products they offer, there are something more recalls at budget chains than at other stores, » says Billiet. Although in the past that has not been shown by figures from the FPS Economy. But that a product turns out to be counterfeit? « I assume that is a rarity, » he says. Selling counterfeit is punishable and is also checked. « Although there are so many products on the market that there are not so many checks of illegality. Certainly when it comes to small, cheap products such as, about a sheet of a 50 -cents stickers, I sometimes have my reservations about that. »
