As Hong Kong customs expands its investigation into Opatra London following complaints of high-pressure sales tactics involving purchases of up to HK$100,000 (US$12,800), former employees and customers of similar beauty chains say the aggressive sales playbook feels all too familiar.

Although the UK-based luxury beauty chain – originally incorporated as Oro Gold – has distanced itself from local distributor Sayles Retail following allegations of “deceptive sales practices”, and denied any connection with another business, Orogold, people familiar with the industry say both brands use strikingly similar tactics.

Ms Chan*, a former junior employee at Orogold, said she made about HK$30,000 a month bringing prospective buyers into the shop so senior staff could pitch them products.

She recalled that top sales representatives could earn six figures a month thanks to exceptionally high commission rates. But Chan said she resigned after less than a year due to the intense pressure.

“Staff were trained to identify individuals who were affluent, responsive to compliments and easily manipulated,” she said. “The goal was to secure the largest possible transaction during that single visit rather than relying on repeat business.”

Chan recalled an elderly woman in her sixties who spent an entire afternoon in the shop and ultimately spent HK$600,000.

She said staff relied on a deliberate script, which typically began by offering passers-by an eye cream sample near the shop entrance to demonstrate an instant lifting effect.