Market traders celebrated the Real Deal renewal 

One of the earliest adopters of the Real Deal Charter – Sandbach Market – has reaffirmed its commitment to fake-free trading. The membership renewal celebration was held at the historic market hall in the run-up to the current “Love your Local Market” initiative, which takes place until 30 May.

Sandbach has held a Thursday market in the town centre from before Queen Elizabeth I granted the town its charter in 1579. The weekly market offers a wide variety of quality products at great prices.

Several traders have been attending the market for 30, 40 or even 50 years, some carrying on the traditions of their parents and grandparents. All of the market traders have a passion for Sandbach Market and offer fantastic value for money.

Patricia Lennon, Real Deal Campaign Manager said:

“Back in 2010, Sandbach Market was among the first cohort of markets in the UK to adopt the Real Deal Charter. It is wonderful that more than fifteen years later that commitment is still going strong.”

“All credit to the market team at Sandbach Town Council and their trading standards colleagues at Cheshire East Council. Their diligence and focus on fair trading ensures that consumers are protected from untested, poor quality, potentially unsafe counterfeits and that law-abiding traders can build their businesses on a level playing field. It is fantastic to see the market thriving and vibrant as a result and the Real Deal logo displayed with pride.”

A Sandbach Town Council spokesperson commented:

“Our long-standing membership with Real Deal is a testament to the Council’s commitment to ensuring that our fantastic Market offers quality and fake-free goods to all shoppers. Sandbach Market is the ideal place for gifts, goods and treats – support your local market and shop locally!”

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Left to right: Celebrating the launch of the Real Deal in Greenwich are Cenred Elworthy, Trading Standards Manager Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cllr Jackie Smith and Rachid Ghailane.

You can expect the Real Deal when you visit a market in Royal Greenwich.  On 11 March, the council’s market service and the privately run Greenwich Market both signed the Real Deal anti-counterfeit charter with the borough’s trading standards service to guarantee that their markets are fair and safe places to shop and sell.

Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business, Greenwich Supports and Environmental Services, signed the charter on behalf of Beresford Square Market, and Rachid Ghailane, Market Operations Manager at Knight Frank, made the pledge on behalf of Greenwich Market.

Councillor Jackie Smith (above) said: “Markets are a great place to find one-of-a-kind items. We all love bagging a bargain, but the sale of counterfeit products undermines customer trust and often has links to wider criminal activities. We have recently made a big investment in Beresford Square, and we want shoppers to have the assurance when they come to a market in Royal Greenwich that any goods they buy meet the grade when it comes to trading standards.”

Rachid Ghailane (top) said: “Greenwich Market is known for offering unique, high‑quality products, and we’re committed to protecting the trust our customers place in us. By signing the Real Deal Charter, we’re reinforcing our promise that all items sold in our market meet proper trading standards, ensuring a safe and reliable experience for everyone who visits the market.”

Patricia Lennon, Real Deal Campaign Manager, added: “I am thrilled that these two historic and vibrant markets are coming aboard the Real Deal. By signing the Real Deal charter, the markets’ operators are joining with their local trading standards service to demonstrate their shared commitment to providing safe, pleasant, fake-free markets, in which local shoppers can buy with confidence and hard-working, law-abiding businesses can flourish.”

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Image: Fake Labubu doll seized by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Trading Standards Team.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is issuing an urgent warning about the growing number of counterfeit “Labubu” dolls being sold in the UK. The viral plush toys – quirky fang-toothed “monster elf” figures made popular by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart – have become a global collector’s craze. This popularity has fuelled a surge in fakes, many being sold by third-party sellers via online marketplaces and local shops that are breaking the law.

Trading Standards teams have seized thousands of unsafe counterfeit Labubu dolls in recent weeks. In just one month, over 2,000 were confiscated from 13 retailers in North Tyneside, with further seizures in Greater Manchester, Humberside, North Somerset, and Scotland. Many of these items were discovered after tip-offs from concerned parents.

Counterfeit Labubu dolls are poorly made and unsafe. Many contain small, detachable parts such as eyes, hands, and feet, which present a serious choking hazard to young children. Loose stitching and exposed stuffing further increase the risk of suffocation.

These fakes often breach the UK’s Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, lacking CE or UKCA safety markings, importer details, and required safety warnings. Without proper safety checks, they may also contain toxic substances such as lead, harmful dyes, or banned plasticisers.

Genuine Pop Mart Labubu dolls have a distinctive elf-like design and include authenticity features such as a holographic POP MART sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart website, and – on newer editions – a subtle UV stamp on one foot. Signs of a fake include overly vibrant colours and an incorrect teeth count, with authentic Labubus having nine. These markers are commonly missing or poorly replicated on counterfeit versions.

CTSI advises consumers to:

• Inspect packaging carefully – check for a UKCA or CE mark, and make sure the product lists a UK-based importer or manufacturer. Warnings and usage instructions should be present.

• Look for authenticity markers – genuine Pop Mart Labubu dolls feature a holographic sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart website, and (on newer editions) a UV stamp on one foot.

• Check the product’s appearance – overly vibrant colours, poor stitching, or the wrong number of teeth (authentic Labubus have nine) are signs of a fake.

• Be cautious of “bargains” – counterfeit toys are often cheaper but may carry serious safety risks, including choking hazards and toxic materials.

• Buy from reputable retailers and avoid unfamiliar online vendors or third-party sellers on online marketplaces listings.

CTSI is looking at counterfeit goods as part of a wider campaign as the manufacturing and sale of these products is often linked to wider organised crime groups.

Anyone who is concerned or would like advice, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 (England and Wales). In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000, or for Northern Ireland call Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

More information here . . . 

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NABMA is delighted to announce a celebration of its long-standing partnership with Real Deal, featuring a week of information, case studies, and discussions from 14 to 18 July.

During the week, we hope you will join us for the events – to review your membership and, by the end of the week, renew your market’s commitment to the campaign.

Each day will showcase why Real Deal is—and has been—so important to the market industry since the National Markets Group was established in 2008 to provide a forum for a national, co-ordinated, cross-sector approach to tackling the trade in counterfeit goods at markets and car boot fairs. NABMA has been a constant and active participant in promoting Real Deal to our membership.

As a reminder, the Real Deal campaign is a cross-sector partnership initiative bringing together local authority trading standards services, market operators and traders, industry groups, and copyright and trademark owners. All are united in their commitment to tackling this problem. It is a preventative campaign focused on a national markets charter and provides guidance, information, and promotional support to market operators and trading standards to help participating markets stay fake-free.

Our week of celebration will bring together NABMA, Real Deal, and the National Markets Group for IP Protection.

During the week, we will explore:

• What Real Deal is and who it partners with.
• Whether you are already signed up—and if not, why your market should join the campaign.
• Case studies of Real Deal in action.

The main event will be on Thursday 17 July, with a free online session:
“Real Deal and its Importance to Your Market and Your Community.”

We will provide an overview of Real Deal, examples of counterfeit items, how to spot fakes, information on stolen goods in markets, toy safety hazards, and more. Booking will be available via the NABMA website.

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE EVENT ON ZOOM: https://nabma.com/event/real-deal-week-review-and-renew/

At the end of the week, we simply ask:
Time to Renew?
Will you (re)sign up?

Can your market afford not to be part of this campaign to protect integrity, consumers, and community?

Join us for this week of celebration and activities—and sign up to be part of Real Deal.

For more information on how to join the Real Deal or to discuss a re-promotion of your market’s existing Real Deal status, simply email your request to: info@realdealmarkets.co.uk