December 2012
Featured in this insight: Consumer goods & FMCG , Financial services, Police, crime & community safety, Retail
Market research shows rise in Britons choosing counterfeit goods: A YouGov survey of more than 2,000 UK consumers by law firm Clarke Willmott LLP and hair care brand ghd has revealed that cash-strapped Britons are increasingly happy to buy or receive knock-offs instead of the genuine article.
Despite numerous high profile campaigns against black market products informing the public that they could be risking their health and becoming a victim of identity theft when purchasing counterfeit goods online, 19% of the respondents said they would be happy to receive fake designer clothes and shoes, 13% felt that way about watches and jewellery, while 8% would be fine with counterfeit electronics.
The acceptance of knock-off goods amongst Britons is on the rise – 18% of the surveyants admitted they had bought a product they knew or suspected was counterfeit compared to last year, while 10% said they had been tempted but have never bought a counterfeit item compared to 9% in 2011.
As Christmas approaches, these figures rise – 24% said they would be happy to receive a gift they knew was counterfeit against 22% last Christmas. One of the main reasons given for this attitude was that the surveyants were aware friends and family are struggling to stretch their budgets for the festive season.
View more of our sector specific insights: Consumer goods & FMCG, Financial services, Police, crime & community safety, Retail
