Outlets at Shanghai airports, Disneyland move to fair pricing

SHANGHAI — More than 60 chain stores and restaurants in Shanghai's two airports and Disneyland on Wednesday vowed to keep prices on par with those in their other outlets in the city, following pressure from Shanghai's price regulator.

The Shanghai Development and Reform Commission said that it had received a great deal of consumer complaints that dining in these areas were often much more expensive than other places.

Under pressure from the commission, the outlets, owned by more than 20 international food chains and convenient stores, including Costa, KFC, McDonald's, Subway, Pacific Coffee and Family Mart, in the Pudong and Hongqiao international airports and Shanghai Disney Resort, joined together in a campaign named "same city, same price."

Wednesday coincides with World Consumer Rights Day, when China launches its annual campaign to raise attention for consumers rights.

The Shanghai commission said that it would continue to play a leading role in protecting consumer rights, inviting the public and companies to get involved.

The commission also urged big shopping malls, including building material and furniture wholesale stores B&Q and IKEA, to be wary of cheating on price, requiring the firms to repay and compensate consumers when they pay more than the prices promoted at the stores.