SK-II sets out to regain trust

from

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/11/15/297261/SK_II_sets_out_to_regain_trust.htm

Daisy Dai
2006-11-16
PROCTER & Gamble Co says it expects to regain the trust of Chinese consumers
in its high-end SK-II brand when sales resume in China early next month.

P&G, the biggest United States consumer-goods maker, took SK-II products off
the shelves in China in late September after quality and health regulators
found traces of banned substances - chromium and neodymium - in the popular
skin-care range.

But last month, authorities said the banned substances found in the cosmetics
would not harm users' health.

P&G said in a statement on Tuesday night that it will offer "highly
personalized counseling experiences" to reintroduce the brand in a select
number of stores.

"We will do our utmost to re-build consumers' confidence in SK-II and re-earn
their trust," said Stevie Wong, SK-II general manager for China.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
and the Ministry of Health said late last month that the Japanese-made
cosmetics were safe.

They contained just a tiny amount of chromium and neodymium which exist in raw
materials and are inevitable.

SK-II products have been on sale in China for eight years. The Japanese-made
cosmetics are popular in countries including Japan, China and South Korea.

Authorities haven't received any reports of health problems linked to these
metals in cosmetics.

P&G, the biggest consumer-goods company in China, sells products including
Pantene shampoo, Olay skin care, Pampers diapers and Duracell batteries.