A regulation issued in Beijin on Tuesday requires supermarkets and chain stores to provide access ramps for the disabled among other customer-friendly measures.

"If it rains or snows, signs saying "Slippery" must be put out at the entrance and the exit," said the regulation released by the Ministry of Commerce and the China Chainstore and Franchise Association.

Under the Shopping Environment Standards for Supermarkets, toilets, broadcasting services and telephone facilities are compulsory for stores with a floor area greater than 1,000 square meters.

Supermarkets and chainstores should provide as many cashiers as traffic flows require to avoid long lines, it said.

The document to take effect on Oct. 1 details rules on the display of items, on-the-spot processing, cold storage, trash disposal, sanitation and cashier services.

The aim of the regulations is to standardize supermarket management, minimize quality risks for commodities on the shelf, and make supermarkets and chainstores a more welcoming environment for all citizens, the China Chainstore and Franchise Association said in a statement.

"Supermarkets are the number 1 urban consumption option. But problems such as cramped passages, poor air, noise and bad labels still exist, hampering the development of local supermarkets, " it said.

The regulation applies not only to supermarkets and chainstores but also to large convenience stores and retail outlets, it said.

Source: Xinhua