‘Intrusive’: China retail giant sparks controversy over bride price, lavish wedding ban


A retail giant in China is promoting employee independence by banning bride prices and lavish weddings. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Sohu

BEIJING: A retail giant in China is stirring up discussions on social media with controversial new rules that require employees to reject bride prices, forgo extravagant weddings, and avoid depending on their parents for purchasing houses or cars.

On Wednesday (Nov 20), Yu Donglai, founder and chairman of Pang Dong Lai, a retail chain based in central China’s Henan province, announced that the company will implement new measures next year to promote employee “independence” and a “rational, high-quality” lifestyle.

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