Monday 17 May 2010

Prada Japan Suffer Allegations Against Forced Employee Purchases - 17/5/10


Having faced recent allegations on cases of sexual harassment and appearance-based discrimination, Prada Japan, find themselves once again under the spotlight. This time around, the fashion retailer is being accused of forcing employees to purchase store goods, in order to reach sales targets.

Rina Bovrisse, a former senior retail manager of Prada Japan, is the driving force behind the allegations. Bovrisse, alongside two other former employees are claiming that Prada Japan forced employee purchases from January 2009. A former employee claimed that retail operations manager, Satomi Oyabu, instructed staff to “purchase a minimum of $1,500 worth of products from Prada’s ‘New Arrival’ collection within the day.” Furthermore, staff had been advised that these purchases must be made as full price customer sales, in order to reach store daily targets.

It is alleged that Prada Japan began this system of unethical means in January 2009, and the company would reimburse staff purchases during this time. However, former employees claim that, only months later, Prada Japan was unable to offer reimbursements and instead, threatened to downsize the store staff.

At this stage, the allegations against Prada Japan are simply allegations, and are set to go to court within days. We can only imagine the effect that such a verdict would have on Prada consumers should these allegations be proven true.

Although at this stage we are still in the dark, it cannot be denied that Prada Japan have drastically increased their web of issues recently. We now wait for the final verdict, and an outcome that could potentially result in a severe decline of loyal Prada employees and costumers.

Image Credit: Japantimes.co.jp

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Melinda O’Rourke is the founder and Director of MO Luxury, a dynamic, Sydney-based management firm specialising in luxury brands and services. Melinda and her associates at MO work with local and international brands across prestige retail, fashion, fine jewellery, timepieces and specialised services. Melinda is well-connected, well-read, and well-versed in the demands of the luxury market and its client base. Her advice is firmly based in objectivity and ultimately, accountability. Melinda offers constructive counsel and both strategic and creative thinking and is able to draw upon a strong network of specialised talent to compliment the MO Luxury team as needed. Melinda enjoys excellent industry relationships and is regularly quoted in the business and fashion media. Read more about MO Luxury, www.moluxury.com.au