CUSTOMERS are able to return purchased items without reason within a certain period of time in 160 brick-and-mortar stores in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported Thursday.

The Shenzhen Consumer Council recently launched a campaign that encourages brick-and-mortar stores to offer return services within no less than seven days or more. The type of products purchased and the return deadline can be determined by each business.

So far, 160 physical stores under nine enterprises, including Suning, Rainbow Department Store Co. Ltd., Decathlon, UNIQLO, Pagoda, Qiandama and Xueersi, have become part of the first batch of participating stores.

According to the council, some of the enterprises have offered return windows of more than seven days. For instance, retailers in Rainbow Department Stores have promised to provide a 30-day return period for clothes, shoes, hats and daily goods. Qiandama and Decathlon allow consumers to return purchased items for an unlimited period of time.

For a successful return, returned products should be in good condition and include all items that were in the original packaging. Meanwhile, shipping fees should be covered by the buyers.

“The campaign is still recruiting participants,” said the council. Intended businesses can apply to the council or sign up through trade associations. Qualified operators will receive a sign and should hang it at a conspicuous place in the business premises.

Businesses will be subject to supervision by consumers and society at large after adopting the return policy. Consumers can lodge a complaint to the consumer council or scan the QR code on the sign to report to authorities if the operators fail to implement the policy or commit other irregularities.

(Zhang Yu)