Corruption prevention guide for sale of high-demand goods
2011-11-17
The ICAC has produced a practical guide to help supermarkets and chain stores prevent corruption and malpractices arising from the sales management of goods in high demand, such as baby milk powder, smart phones and tablet computers.
A recent study conducted by the Corruption Prevention Department has revealed that front-line staff might resort to irregular practices in order to reserve high-demand goods for their own consumption or re-sale to parallel goods traders for personal gains .
The ICAC advises that in handling the sale of these goods, supermarkets and chain stores should openly inform the public of the date and time when the sale or advance ordering will commence, and ensure that they are sold on a first-come-first served basis .
To minimise opportunities for abuses, customers should be given priority to the purchase of the new products while staff purchase will only be allowed at a later time.
Shop operators should assign a designated counter to handle the sale or advance ordering of high-value products. A store manager should supervise such arrangement and conduct spot checks on advance orders to ensure they are genuine.
To enhance control and monitoring, area managers should conduct surprise checks at the shop outlets to ensure that the physical inventory of high-demand goods tally with the book records, and that the goods are uploaded onto the sale racks in a timely man ner to avoid stock-piling by staff.
Operators are also advised to clearly set out a policy on the acceptance of advantages by staff in relation to the company’s business, and provide training on the anti-bribery law and ethical practices.
The practical guide, compiled by the ICAC’s Advisory Services Group (ASG), was launched yesterday at a seminar jointly organised by the ICAC and the Hong Kong Retail Management Association. The seminar was attended by about 60 executives and managerial staff from 20 retail operators.
Copies of the guidebook were distributed to participants at the seminar. An online version is also available for downloading on ICAC’s corporate website ( www.icac.org.hk ).
Chain store and supermarket operators are welcome to seek further advice from the ASG for tailor-made corruption prevention measures.
A recent study conducted by the Corruption Prevention Department has revealed that front-line staff might resort to irregular practices in order to reserve high-demand goods for their own consumption or re-sale to parallel goods traders for personal gains .
The ICAC advises that in handling the sale of these goods, supermarkets and chain stores should openly inform the public of the date and time when the sale or advance ordering will commence, and ensure that they are sold on a first-come-first served basis .
To minimise opportunities for abuses, customers should be given priority to the purchase of the new products while staff purchase will only be allowed at a later time.
Shop operators should assign a designated counter to handle the sale or advance ordering of high-value products. A store manager should supervise such arrangement and conduct spot checks on advance orders to ensure they are genuine.
To enhance control and monitoring, area managers should conduct surprise checks at the shop outlets to ensure that the physical inventory of high-demand goods tally with the book records, and that the goods are uploaded onto the sale racks in a timely man ner to avoid stock-piling by staff.
Operators are also advised to clearly set out a policy on the acceptance of advantages by staff in relation to the company’s business, and provide training on the anti-bribery law and ethical practices.
The practical guide, compiled by the ICAC’s Advisory Services Group (ASG), was launched yesterday at a seminar jointly organised by the ICAC and the Hong Kong Retail Management Association. The seminar was attended by about 60 executives and managerial staff from 20 retail operators.
Copies of the guidebook were distributed to participants at the seminar. An online version is also available for downloading on ICAC’s corporate website ( www.icac.org.hk ).
Chain store and supermarket operators are welcome to seek further advice from the ASG for tailor-made corruption prevention measures.