Davao City—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao region warns business establishments anew against putting the phrase “while supply lasts” in their sales promotions especially with the Christmas season approaching.
Sales promotion is a technique intended for broad consumer participation, which intends to increase sales, patronage, and/or goodwill of a product. Companies offer rewards for the purchase of the product, additional services, or contests, games and other similar competitions. They make use of mass media and other widespread means of information.
DTI-Davao regional director Marizon S. Loreto said that in the conduct of sales promotions, the sponsor or establishment must indicate the exact period covered by the promotion.
“The DTI accepts the highest number of sales promotion permit applications during the opening of classes and Christmas season. That’s why we have to remind business establishments again that the inclusive promotion dates must be definite. The sponsor must ensure that the supply of the included products in the promotion will be sufficient until the last day of the promo period,” she said.
Loreto said that anyone or any company who wants to conduct a scheme for a sales promotion campaign of a consumer product, service, or credit shall first secure a permit from the regional or provincial offices of the DTI, at least 30 days before the sales promotion starts.
She said only those sponsored by the government or social, civic, political, religious, educational, and other similar organizations are exempted from the governing rules on sales promotion campaigns.
“The DTI enforces the sales promotion provisions except for foods, drugs, cosmetics, devices, and hazardous substances which are under the Department of Health (DOH). Therefore, if the sponsor’s products are not listed under the DOH’s mandate, it’s DTI whom they shall ask for a sales promotion permit,” Loreto explained.
Loreto stressed that an approved sales promotion campaign may be terminated or cancelled by the sponsor/s at its initiative, provided that it has not yet commenced and that no information dissemination and advertising have been made yet.
“But prior to the cancellation, the sponsor/s must send a written notice to DTI first. Likewise, they have to inform us of any changes on the conduct of sales promotion such as extension or delay in the dates of starting, termination and determination of winners, venue of draws, among others,” she said. (DTI11)
