Just to make it clear – this isn’t a written piece to tell you that buying fake trainers is bad and you should always buy the real thing. We understand better than most that money comes first and buying a cheaper alternative will always be an easy option. I’m only here to set out the real facts and consequences of purchasing counterfeit trainers.
We’ve all come across counterfeit or cheap knock-offs of designer brands, commonly Nike and Adidas. This is often by accident while in some market in a large city, while on holiday or more commonly – while online shopping.
An effective method to avoid accidentally buying counterfeit trainers is to ensure you shop at legitimate retailers – SEVENSTORE is a well trusted high-end trainer, streetwear and sport fashion retailer who we have an exclusive code with to get you 15% off your order: HOXTON15.
The most popular counterfeit products are usually footwear and unfortunately, even to a trained eye, even the most poorly constructed counterfeit/knock-off can pass for the real thing.
It’s important to know the difference between a knock-off and counterfeit product – with the focus on this piece being the latter.
Knock-off items are constructed to mimic a legitimate product without including a misrepresented logo, so the buyer should be aware they’re not purchasing from the actual brand. Counterfeit items are designed to replicate the actual product the best it can and mislead the buyer into believing they’re getting the real thing.
I believe it’s great that companies are making cheaper alternatives of typically expensive products from some of the world’s most well-known brands. With counterfeits becoming ever more popular, stigmatizing people who wear fake trainers will still always be a form of classism only carried out by low individuals.
Yet, supporting this market has some harmful repercussions that everyone should be aware of:
Counterfeit products aren’t made with the same materials and fabrics but instead low quality materials that can cause injuries. Counterfeit footwear has been known to cause injuries to the foot and ankle, they can be uncomfortable, and easily fall apart. The saying “you get what you pay” is very true here – part of the reason designer brands cost more is because they’re made to last longer.
The counterfeit market is a booming industry across the world as lots of buyers understandably, want to achieve the high end designer look for a cheaper price. Many aren’t aware they’re buying counterfeit items when they are and supporting this market only means more buyers are going to be mislead into buying something they wouldn’t normally be interested in.
Companies lose out on millions every year, figures from the UK government show that the annual loss to the economy through all counterfeit operations is roughly £9 billion. The economy is further damaged because counterfeit operations don’t pay taxes – taxes we all despise paying but understand that’s how our roads, schools, hospitals etc. are made/repaired.
Buying and selling counterfeit trainers/goods doesn’t only destroy the reputation of a legitimate business, but it also decreases their rightful profit margin and hurts their overall business.
Research has proved that the job market is negatively affected by the counterfeit market. Statistics from the UK Government predicts that around 80,500 jobs are lost each year due these operations.
While it’s known that the working conditions in some footwear factories is relatively poor, it’s a lot worse in the counterfeit goods factories. The majority are made in foreign sweatshops which often disregard child labour laws and basic human rights of their workers while paying them next to nothing to increase their profit margin.
The involvement of organised crime in the counterfeit market has been well documented as it’s an easy way to launder money. Counterfeiting has become one of the most profitable ways for organised crime to make money and support acts such as the illegal sale of drugs.
It’s important to point out that the tactic of many footwear and fashion brands these days of creating very expensive and super-limited stock to increase the exclusivity element of their products, also plays a part in people steering towards a counterfeit product.
The ever increasing retail rate of trainers such as YEEZYs has pushed the real product out of reach for many people as a cheaper knock-off is their next best option. This has been willingly brought on by the brands who want to sell a pair of trainers for £500 +.
The most important things for us as a community is to be able to notice a knock-off or counterfeit pair of trainers immediately when presented with one, allowing buyers to stop being mislead into a purchase.
To avoid being mislead, you can shop at trusted businesses such as SEVENSTORE where you can use our exclusive code for 15% off your entire order: HOXTON15.
5 trusted footwear retailers:
It’s also just as important to understand the repercussions of supporting this market that many may not actually feel but they are still very real.
If you’re faced with the option to purchase a £500 pair of trainers for £20, just take the time to think about if this purchase is a good idea or if you’re better off saving your hard-earned money on something that’ll be more worth it.
For more up to date news plus the best discounts and codes – visit The Hoxton Trend and shop our variety of designer retailers right here.
