Retailers of electronic and electrical products received the most complaints from consumers in Shanxi province in 2016, according to figures released by the government at a press conference on consumer rights on March 14.

The number of complaints about online and television shopping rocketed in 2016. Most consumers complained about poor logistics in the wake of increases in online and television shopping.

Shanxi industry and commerce networks built 622 service sites for people to protect their rights as consumers, offering consultations to more than 230,000 residents and mediating 640 disputes on World Consumer Rights Day in 2016. The service sites helped consumers recover economic losses worth 1.82 million yuan ($263,202).

In 2016, Shanxi dealt with 163,415 consumers' claims, consultations and reports, retrieving 26.34 million yuan for consumers.

To better safeguard consumers' rights, Shanxi launched an app, Shanxi 12315, on March 14, 2017. Customers can use the app to claim compensation or report fake goods and infringements of their rights to the government. The app also supplies the latest tips and warnings, policies and regulations, and various ways to safeguard consumer rights.

The Shanxi Administration for Industry and Commerce will increase supervision and management of products and services in the market as well as after-sale services, advance sampling of online and offline goods, and increase penalties for illegal commercial activities.