Oct 25, 2012
Translated by Zhu Na

Sports apparel retailer Nike as been fined 4.87 million yuan for selling basketball shoes at a higher price and lower quality in China than the same model sold abroad.

Liu Jian (刘健), deputy director and press spokesperson of Beijing Administration for Commerce and Industry (BACI), said that the shoes in question sell for up to 1,299 yuan domestically. One of the shoe’s major selling points is its double air-cushioning, but with the same advertising, Chinese buyers actually get a shoe with only one air-cushion. They also pay over 500 yuan more than customers in other countries.

“Nike uses double standards in its products, treating Chinese and foreign customers differently,” Liu said. “The BACI will absolutely not tolerate such behavior.” 

Nike had earlier issued a statement promising to give refunds to customers who bought the product. 

This is the first time that the BACI has fined a company for double standards.

Links and Sources
Beijing Evening News - 耐克因搞中外“双重标准” 被北京工商罚487万