Retail group scraps cash refunds sparking internet fury

Angry shoppers have launched a social media backlash against M.H. Alshaya, one of the biggest retailers in the Middle East, after the company stopped offering cash refunds.

Alshaya, which is the partner in the Gulf for brands such as H&M, Topshop, Starbucks and Debenhams, rolled out a new refund scheme across the Middle East in November where unwanted goods could no longer receive a cash or credit card refund. Customers instead receive store credit on a card, which is valid for up to 12 months in any of Alshaya's 55 different branded stores.

But the new policy has caused a social media stir as Gulf shoppers complain that the policy is not in line with the international brands' own policies in their home markets.

Twitter users and blogs were abuzz yesterday with complaints, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the campaign first surfaced

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