"Imported" Store That Ejected Foreigner Under Investigation

Source: OT-Team(G)，中国新闻社; 上海市场监管

  Shanghai's market regulatory authority announced on January 8 that it has launched a two-round inspection and rectification campaign starting December 23, 2024, following growing concerns over the authenticity of products sold in "Russian Goods" stores.

Controversy Over Product Origins

  The controversy began after a blogger posted a video showing a visit to a "Russian Goods" store, accompanied by his Russian girlfriend. The first thing she said upon entering the store was, "These are all fake."

  According to the blogger, the store, named "Hardcore Russian Goods," created an atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Russian shop through promotional slogans like "Welcome to Russia," Russian music, and décor styled in a Russian aesthetic. However, the products inside did not live up to these claims.

  The blogger revealed that most of the items were actually made in China, sold at inflated prices. He also noted that the complexity of the Russian language often led to inaccurate translations, with some product names being translated using online tools. This resulted in product labels that even native Russian speakers found incomprehensible. Additionally, some products, such as "Russian durian candy," coffee, and tropical fruit-based items, were highly questionable. The blogger pointed out that Russia's cold climate makes it impossible to grow such tropical fruits.

Market Oversight Inspections

  According to a report by CCTV News on January 8, Shanghai's market supervision bureau conducted inspections at 47 "Russian Goods" stores, focusing on issues such as the legitimacy of business operations, store signage, and the authenticity of the products.

  Several businesses operating without proper licenses or registration have been investigated, and orders for suspension of operations were issued. Additionally, some stores misrepresented themselves as "national pavilions," leading consumers to believe they had official backing. In other cases, stores labeled as "Russian Goods Pavilions" were found to have too few actual Russian products, misleading customers. Investigations into these deceptive practices are ongoing.