Sephora angers Australian shoppers by blocking access to US site; Chocolate packing company to head to court over underpayment allegations: Midday Roundup

International cosmetics giant Sephora has infuriated Australian customers by reportedly blocking access to its US website so local shoppers cannot compare prices.

The global retail chain started redirecting Australian customers away from its US website shortly before the launch of its local site yesterday, according to Fairfax.

Sephora is the fastest-growing brand in the LVMH group, which includes brands like Louis Vuitton and Bulgari.

Australian customers have slammed Sephora on its Facebook page, saying it is unfair that they are unable to access the retailer’s US site.

“Why the hell have you blocked us?” one woman wrote.

“What if we’re going to the States and would like to plan our shopping trip?”

Another woman wrote that she just wanted to read product reviews on the US site.

“Sephora is turning into quite the bully,” she said.

Replying to disgruntled customers, Sepora said it is working with the US site on the “restriction issue” and will update everyone in due time.

Chocolate packing company to head to court over underpayment allegations

A packing company that holds contracts with Cadbury and Mars has fallen foul of the Fair Work Ombudsman after three workers were found to have allegedly been underpaid almost $25,000.

ACC Services, which trades as Rapid Pak, and one of its part owners will face court after the Ombudsman discovered three workers were allegedly being paid flat hourly rates and did not receive proper entitlements.

Two of the workers were 417 visa holders from China and Taiwan with the alleged underpayments relating to a period of a few months last year, according to the Ombudsman.

The majority of allegations refer to one worker in her 50s who was allegedly short-changed almost $15,000 between 2011 and 2014.

Strong start for local shares

Local shares have enjoyed a good start to the morning on the back of a good showing from Wall Street yesterday.

The S&P/ASX200 benchmark was up 1.4%, rising 75 points to 5240.8 points at 11.42am AEST. On Monday, the Dow Jones closed up 0.94%, rising 165.22 points to 17828.8 points.