CHINA: Probe into promotions after Carrefour deaths

By just-food.com | 13 November 2007

The Chinese government has ordered a probe into promotions at the country's retail outlets after a stampede in a Carrefour store killed three people wanting to buy discounted cooking oil.

China's Ministry of Commerce has ordered police and government officials to "carry out a comprehensive investigation of retail businesses' sales promotions", Reuters said today (13 November).

"Demand that commercial businesses do not organise limited time sales promotions that can easily cause traffic jams, personal injury and chaos," the Ministry said, according to Reuters.

The stampede occurred at a Carrefour store on Saturday in the south-western city of Chongqing.

Dozens were also injured as shoppers rushed to take advantage of the cooking oil promotion, amid rising food prices in China.

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