Behind the scenes
Anarchy on the mask market
12.5.2020
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
The demand for protective masks is huge. Whenever supplies were restocked in the last few days, they sold out almost instantly. Wholesale trade has gone a bit Wild West. The vast number of mask manufacturers and different types of certifications out there means only true specialists really know what they’re dealing with. Keep reading to find out how we’re tackling the challenges of the mask market.
Ever since the corona pandemic hit Switzerland, Digitec Galaxus has been buzzing. Health products have proven very popular; particularly protective masks. But the masks have also presented us with several challenges – from classification and purchasing to pricing and quality assurance.
Wanted: protective masks! Which one should you choose and why?
The number of questions surrounding face masks is almost as large as the demand for them. Which masks provide protection from the virus? Which ones protects people around you? And what’s the deal with the different levels of protection? There’s lots of information available online but it’s not always up-to-date nor necessarily helpful. Basically, there are three types of masks: surgical masks, respirators and homemade masks. In technical jargon, respirators are also called «particle-filtering half masks», surgical masks are sometimes referred to as «nose and mouth masks» and homemade masks as «community masks». The following illustration shows the most important features of surgical masks and respirators. Click here for a more in-depth look at the subject.
Right at the start of the pandemic, our range included masks with no test results or certifications. So the wave of customer criticism that ensued was totally justified. For a short while, our range also included a type I mask that was wrongly marked as type II certified. As a result, all customers who had bought the product needed to be informed about the error and were given correctly certified masks as a replacement.
In the meantime, we’ve added the test documents and certifications to all masks we sell. Before a mask becomes available in our shop, we check that all its documents are correct. We’ve found that this approach makes us one of just a handful of shops that is taking certifications and tests this seriously. What’s more, we’ve stopped selling masks via our marketplace for the time being. This is to ensure that only safe and fairly-priced protective masks are on offer in our shop.
Please note: we do not give any recommendations on how to use the various mask types and/or protection levels – neither for daily use nor for health care professions. In this regard, we refer to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
The mask market’s gone rogue
Purchasing the masks poses another challenge for us. During normal times, protective masks are a niche product with a low demand. So we first had to establish direct contact to trustworthy suppliers – and we weren’t the only ones who had to do this. As a result, we’re now in the midst of a rough and ready intermediate trade with companies that have good connections with the mostly Chinese factories as well as with freight companies that are able to swiftly transport the goods to Switzerland. New intermediate traders have sprung up like mushrooms and are competing with old-established companies. The difference in professionalism can be huge. Many intermediaries fail to stick to delivery deadlines or simply don’t provide certifications and test results. In addition, the paths of communication span continents and language borders.
Things can get particularly hairy when it comes to certificates and test results. While established manufacturers provide officially verified test results and certificates, many new players on the mask market aren’t that particular about paperwork. They often produce «semi-official» documents that obviously don’t meet local requirements. What’s more, standards and requirements may vary depending on the country or region. So it’s hardly surprising that there are many products with fake certificates out there. Trying to get an overview is a never-ending story. In the meantime, however, we’ve found reliable partners; some of which also supply Swiss hospitals.
The price rollercoaster
Not only the demand for protective face masks has exploded but also their purchase prices. Prices have also sharply risen when it comes to transporting the masks. Cargo planes are booked out weeks in advance and transport rates change every half hour. The airline Swiss is now also making passenger aircrafts available to ship masks, but this alternative is still very limited. Another challenge is that China is constantly introducing new requirements for production (packaging, testing, export, etc.). Processes need to be adapted accordingly.
Ultimately, all these obstacles have an effect on the price you, the end customer, have to pay. While some dealers are charging exorbitant prices, we promise to keep mask prices fair and not to make extra profit with these products.
Find out if we’re transparent!
Do you have questions regarding our range of protective face masks? Are you missing certain information on a particular product? Have you had first-hand experience buying face masks? Thanks for letting us know by commenting below. We’re happy to provide quick and transparent answers to any questions concerning us.
Alex Hämmerli
Senior Public Relations Manager
Alex.Haemmerli@digitecgalaxus.chAt Digitec and Galaxus, I’m in charge of communication with journalists and bloggers. Good stories are my passion – I am always up to date.
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