Some self-claimed "Ruassian goods" stores in Shanghai have undergone inspections.Shanghai's market regulator has conducted two rounds of inspections on so-called "Russian goods pavilions" since December 23, 2024 and six stores are under investigation as of January 9, according to the municipal market regulator and media reports. Also,a total of 47 "Russian goods pavilions" have been identified in Shanghai. (Photo:Shanghai's market regulator)

Shanghai's market regulator has conducted two rounds of inspections on so-called "Russian goods pavilions" since December 23, 2024 and six stores are under investigation, according to the municipal market regulator and media reports. 

A total of 47 "Russian goods pavilions" have been identified in Shanghai, and the market supervision department has inspected key issues, including business entity qualifications, store slogans, and product origins, which have drawn significant public attention, Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation said on its official WeChat account on Wednesday.

According to Shanghai-based Jiefang Daily, among the 47 "Russian goods pavilions" inspected, six stores suspected of illegal activities are under investigation.

Some entities without licenses or proper registration are being investigated and ordered to suspend operations, according to Shanghai's market regulator. 

The regulator said that some stores falsely labeled themselves as "national pavilions," misleading consumers into believing they had an official affiliation. Other stores, with only a small proportion of Russian imported goods, also misrepresented themselves as "Russian goods pavilions." The stores involved have been placed under investigation. 

In addition, such stores have been required to collect certificates and invoices to ensure that the source of goods is legal; goods from different origins are placed in zones to ensure that the labels are prominent and can be distinguished by consumers.

The regulator stated that it will continue to monitor the operations of these stores, enhance oversight and enforcement while guiding businesses to operate transparently and comply with regulations, ensuring a fair marketplace.

The number of complaints regarding "Russian goods pavilions" received by the Shanghai public service hotline has surged in recent days, Shanghai Observer, a Shanghai-based news outlet reported on Wednesday.

Many customers have raised concerns that most of the products in these stores are not sourced from Russia, but from domestic Chinese suppliers, with some even expressing worries about food safety, according to Shanghai Observer.

Global Times