Fake designer shopping

SALES of counterfeit clothes have shot up, according to a recent survey by an online retailer. North West shoppers are faking it more than ever before – with a staggering one third of us freely admitting to buying copycat clothes and accessories.

More than 56 per cent of us pick up our fakes on holiday, with another 15 per cent sourcing them in markets and 28 per cent selecting them online.

The survey of 2000 shoppers by online retailer, www.GetTheLabel.com also found 23 per cent of North West shoppers owned up to having £200 of counterfeit clothing, while 14 per cent had spent £300.

Top of the fake fashion shopping list were designer handbags. 41 per cent of people said they had bought them in the past and another 29 per cent named sunglasses as their top buy.

Nationwide, shoppers told the retailer that the high cost of designer wear (53 per cent) was their main reasons for choosing counterfeits.

Where we get them from still varies. More than 56 per cent of us pick up our fakes on holiday, with another 15 per cent sourcing them in markets and 28 per cent selecting them online.

Liz McNamara, marketing director from Get The Label said: “It is shocking that shoppers are still being conned out of their hard earned money. Brands like UGGs do tend to have a luxury price tag but it generally comes with a luxury product."

Nearly half of those quizzed claimed they had no idea that buying fakes could be illegal – and none of us had thought about alerting Trading Standards when they’d been sold copycat merchandise.

But how can you tell? The biggest giveaway was poor detailing – named by 46 per cent as the easiest way to spot lookalikes - but 80 per cent they couldn’t identify a copy.

Get The Label has created a film featuring professional local stylist Martine Alexander in an attempt to educate their shoppers in what to look for to ensure that they are shopping smart when looking for a real label online. You can view the film below.