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Tag: rights

  • DFI Secures Exclusive Franchisee Rights for GNC Health Products in Singapore

    DFI Secures Exclusive Franchisee Rights for GNC Health Products in Singapore

    DFI Retail Group is set to become the sole wholesaler, distributor, and franchisee of GNC’s wellness and health products in Singapore. This move represents an extension of the existing strategic partnership between the two firms.

    DFI will employ its resources in sales, marketing, distribution, and logistics to facilitate the availability of GNC’s scientifically-supported health and wellness products through the Guardian Singapore network. This expansion is a continuation of a 20-year-long alliance between the two companies, previously established in Hong Kong. Here, GNC’s products were made available through independent outlets and DFI’s health and beauty chain, Mannings. This development also signifies the conclusion of a drawn-out legal dispute between GNC’s US parent company and its former partner in Singapore.

    Curtis Liu, CEO for health & beauty at DFI, expressed his enthusiasm about the venture. He highlighted DFI’s deep market knowledge and extensive retail network as significant factors enabling them to bring GNC’s leading sports nutrition and health supplements back to Singapore. Customers will now have access to a handpicked range of credible, scientifically-proven health solutions via Guardian, Mannings, and exclusive GNC stores.

    Having established its presence in Singapore in 1997, GNC recently received a positive ruling from the Singapore Court of Appeal which reinforced GNC’s rights to fully assume former store leases. This decision paves the way for GNC to regain an independent store presence in Singapore. The company is currently working on the assignment of the pertinent store leases.

    From the fourth quarter of this year, customers in Singapore will be able to purchase GNC’s products, including vitamins, minerals, and sports nutrition, through both physical and online stores of Guardian, as well as GNC’s standalone stores.

    Cheri Mullen, Chief Global Franchise and Wholesale Officer at GNC, expressed her anticipation to reinstate GNC’s store presence in Singapore. She emphasized their commitment to rebuilding and fortifying their market presence while maintaining the delivery of high-quality, innovative, and science-backed wellness solutions, as per customer expectations.

    As a part of the expanded cooperation, DFI will also become GNC’s exclusive franchisee in Macau.

    Questions & Answers

    What will be the role of DFI Retail Group in the partnership with GNC?
    DFI will serve as the exclusive wholesaler, distributor, and franchisee of GNC’s health and wellness products in Singapore. It will provide sales, marketing, distribution, and logistics services for GNC products through the Guardian Singapore network.

    What does the collaboration between DFI and GNC mean for customers in Singapore?
    Customers in Singapore will gain access to a wide range of GNC’s health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, and sports nutrition, through Guardian’s physical and online stores, as well as GNC’s standalone stores starting the fourth quarter of this year.

    What recent legal decision has allowed GNC to expand its presence in Singapore?
    The Singapore Court of Appeal recently upheld and enforced GNC’s rights to assume former store leases in full, enabling GNC to regain an independent store presence in Singapore.

  • Xiaomi Vietnam Fined $11,000 For Breach Of Consumer Protection Laws

    Xiaomi Vietnam Fined $11,000 For Breach Of Consumer Protection Laws

    Xiaomi Vietnam, a distributor of consumer electronics under the Chinese brand Xiaomi, has been penalized with a fine of VND290 million (US$11,000) for breaches of consumer protection laws, especially involving the use of personal data for marketing purposes. The company was charged with not granting customers the choice to either consent or decline the use of their personal details for advertising, product promotion, and various commercial activities. This breach was confirmed by the National Competition Commission (NCC) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    Additional Violations

    Furthermore, Xiaomi Vietnam was found guilty of not informing consumers about its use of influencers for product promotion, using their images and endorsements without due notice. The firm was also penalized for incorporating illegal clauses in its general transaction terms.

    The NCC has mandated that the company immediately halt all illegal activities and promptly reassess and enhance their general transaction terms and conditions, consumer data protection policies, and activities related to the provision of information and product promotions through influencers. This is to ensure full compliance with the legal regulations.

    Xiaomi Vietnam, which has been operating since 2019 and is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, offers a variety of consumer electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, TVs, robot vacuum cleaners, and smart home devices.

    Questions & Answers

    What was Xiaomi Vietnam fined for?
    Xiaomi Vietnam was fined for breaching consumer protection laws, specifically in relation to the use of personal data for marketing purposes without consumer consent.

    What other violations was Xiaomi Vietnam charged with?
    Further charges against Xiaomi Vietnam included the failure to inform consumers about their use of influencers for product endorsement, and the inclusion of illegal provisions in their general transaction terms.

    What steps has the NCC mandated for Xiaomi Vietnam?
    The NCC has ordered Xiaomi Vietnam to immediately stop all illegal activities and to review and update their transaction terms, consumer data protection policies, and influencer-related promotional activities to adhere to legal regulations.

  • Thailand’s CP wins 7-Eleven rights to operate in Cambodia

    Thailand’s CP wins 7-Eleven rights to operate in Cambodia

    Thailand’s CP Group will launch 7 Eleven Cambodia next year after winning the franchise rights for the country.

    CP Group, which operates 7-Eleven in Thailand, will run the business via its local subsidiary. The first outlet is expected to open in Phnom Penh.

    According to reporting in Nikkei, CP will be responsible for all business strategy and distribution activities of 7-Eleven Cambodia, and will bear the right to use the brand logo and signage.

    The operation will also include grocery sales along with some banking and delivery services.

    With 12,000 outlets, Thailand is the second-largest market for 7-Eleven after Japan.

    Founded in 1927 in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven is now owned by Japanese retail group Seven & I Holdings.

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  • Unicef Indonesia Urges Private Sector to Protect Children’s Rights

    Unicef Indonesia Urges Private Sector to Protect Children’s Rights

    “Unicef calls upon all companies to ensure that their operations and other business activities do not harm children. Government policies should support companies in this regard including by making sure that children are protected from possible rights violations by the private sector,” she said.

    Olsson expressed the desire to have comprehensive guidelines for companies on how to respect and support children’s rights in the workplace and marketplace included in Indonesia’s national frameworks and action plans that deal with human rights and business.

    The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights suggested children’s rights should feature more prominently in the government’s National Action Plan on Human Rights (Ranham) and in the Business and Human Rights Action Plan (Ranham Bisnis) currently being developed.

    “One of the key pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights highlights the state’s obligation to respect, protect and fulfill human rights. However, other actors, in this case, the business community, also have the responsibility to respect human rights in all its operations and practices,” said Mualimin Abdi, director general for human rights at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

    Nur Kholis, chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas Ham), highlighted the key role of the Ranham Bisnis in minimizing possible negative impacts of business operations on human rights and in strengthening private companies’ role in Indonesia’s development.

    Save the Children, the UN Global Compact and Unicef in March 2012 presented the Children’s Rights and Business Principles. Numerous corporations, organized in an Association of Child-Friendly Companies (Apsai), have since assessed their practices regarding their impact on children’s rights.

    “Unicef hopes many more companies will join the initiative and review their operations against the Children’s Rights and Business Principles,” said Olsson, the Unicef representative. “Corporate social responsibility with a focus on child rights that goes beyond philanthropic investment will strengthen companies’ sustainability, reputation and risk management and will ultimately foster a stable, inclusive and sustainable business environment. In the end, it’s in the companies’ own economic interest.”

    “One third of the world’s population are children; they are the future leaders, employees and customers of companies,” added Shinta W. Kamdani, president of the IBCSD. “In striving towards a sustainable business environment this issue should take the center stage of business sustainability. Children’s Rights and Business Principles serve as a tool for companies who are willing to go the extra mile to ensure a viable business future.”

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