THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu has approved a total of 115 sales promotion applications from October to November as business establishments gear up for the upcoming Christmas shopping activities of consumers.
The trade department has called for more online promo sales, with the Covid-19 threat still raging on, instead of physical promos that usually draw crowds and might cause transmission among shoppers.
“Traditional or physical promo sales may not be approved when we’re not convinced of their control measures in mitigating large crowds. If the business establishment has no built-in control measures, there would be no approvals,” Ines Cajegas, DTI-Cebu Consumer Protection Division chief, said in an exclusive interview with Cherry Ann Lim in SunStar Tonight.
Strict social distancing measures should be in place in stores and there should be no huge crowds, she said.
From Oct. 1 to Nov. 26, a total of 115 sales promo applications were approved by DTI-Cebu. Of which, 38 were online promos, which account for about one-third of the promo sales activities approved.
She said even the submission of requirements can be made online for contactless transactions, with the approval turnaround time of only one to two days.
Most supermarkets, department stores and malls in the key cities are already conducting online promos.
Cajegas said they are campaigning for stores located in the municipalities to hold online promos instead of the traditional way, especially during this time of pandemic.
She also urged business owners to follow the law by applying for a legitimate sales promotion from the DTI.
“It’s for the purpose of protecting the consumers and the public at large so that any businessmen for that matter will be transparent with their dealings or in their selling of their items to the consumers,” Cajegas said.
Businesses that are caught conducting sales without DTI approval may face a fine of P500 to P300,000 or be issued a cease and desist order.
Businesses should secure a sales promo permit from DTI at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the promo and ensure the promo should not attract a large crowd. (JOB)