UK’s First ‘Fake Shop’ Opens in Yeovil

To mark National Consumer Week, Devon and Somerset Trading Standards has transformed an empty shop on Middle Street into an interactive installation stocking everything from counterfeit clothing and fake perfume to dodgy toys.

Shrewd shoppers will need to look out to ensure they don’t get scammed. Activities and volunteers will be on hand to expose the truth behind the counterfeit goods trade.

Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, said: “Selling counterfeit goods is sometimes seen as a ‘victimless’ crime, but this is often far from the truth as fake products can not only endanger your wallet, but also potentially your health.

“The variety of items in The Fake Shop shows that it’s not just DVDs and clothing that are counterfeited or mis-described. Electronics, food and drink, cosmetics, tools, car parts, jewellery and even fireworks can be cleverly disguised as genuine products when in reality they are cheaper substitutes that are often so poorly made they are unreliable at best, and more worryingly could be very dangerous.

Read more: http://www.westerngazette.co.uk/UK-s-fake-shop-opens-Yeovil-expose-truth/story-28099514-detail/story.html#ixzz3qPmdNwA6