Non Fashion

By Ana Nocetti

In order to look after the interests of our clients’ brands, our firm periodically conducts a survey in the local market. This time, regarding the marketing of CHRISTIAN DIOR, counterfeit goods in the local market was noted. Thus, in order to confirm such reports, investigations were performed in the premises of stores where said goods were allegedly being sold.

One of the stores involved is located in the city of Punta del Este, while the other two operate in the city of Colonia del Sacramento.

Punta del Este is Uruguay’s most important summer resort of and one of the best known of South America. It lies along the Atlantic Ocean, 130 miles east of Montevideo, and during the summer season (December to March) it receives some 300,000 tourists, mainly from Argentina and Brazil.

The investigated store, named ROSA ORIENTAL, is situated in a shopping area of Punta del Este, where tourists and residents can find a wide range of shops, from local and Argentinean to world-famous designers, such as Versace, Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Laurent and many others.

On the other hand, Colonia del Sacramento is an old colonial town (declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity), renowned for its cobbled, windy streets and colourful houses, alternated by small bars, excellent restaurants, art and craft shops, museums and a large yacht harbour.

Colonia is at a distance of two hundred kilometres from Montevideo and separated from Buenos Aires only by the Rio de la Plata, which is the main water route for visitors from Argentina to access any part of Uruguay. Thus, Colonia is always full of tourists, especially from Argentina, who only have to cross the river to step out of the bustling activity of Buenos Aires and into this oasis of peace.

Both of the stores that market CHRISTIAN DIOR products in this city are located in the shopping district of Colonia (which is full of local shops), and are identified under the trade names LA ROSA ORIENTAL and LA MARGARITA.

According to the information obtained, the store in Punta del Este and La Margarita in Colonia are both owned by Ms. Maria Martina Venutti Andreoni, while her brother, Mr. Juan A. Venutti Andreoni, is the owner of La Rosa Oriental.

It was not possible to determine any additional commercial, industrial or business activity connected with these individuals. Moreover, their records do not show any financial difficulties or any liens or encumbrances set on their assets.

The CHRISTIAN DIOR goods that are presently being sold in these stores are silk scarves, with prices ranging from U$S 15 to U$S 30.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the investigation revealed that leather wallets and other accessories bearing the CHRISTIAN DIOR mark were being offered for sale in these stores a few months ago, which indicates that they will probably be marketed again in the near future.

Once CHRISTIAN DIOR was made aware of the existence of counterfeit products in the Uruguayan market, they ordered immediate action to be taken. In this sense, the offender was summoned, immediately recognized its fault and agreed to proceed with the destruction of all counterfeit goods.