Embattled luxury furniture retailer Da Vinci issued an apology to customers after accusations that it sold substandard and fake imported goods - but made no mention of compensation or refunds.
'We hereby sincerely express our apology to consumers,' the company said in statement on its website late on Monday. 'This company modestly accepts scrutiny from government departments, the media and the public, and has already begun work on internal investigations and reorganisation.'
The chain store, which has outlets in seven mainland cities, has been under fire since a China Central Television report on July 10 accused it of selling Guangdong-produced furniture as having been made in Italy.
Shanghai's Industry and Commerce Administration said last week that Cappelletti furniture in the company's warehouses labelled 'solid wood' contained composite and man-made materials, and some were found to give off hazardous chemicals in flame tests. The Shanghai Consumer Protection Council said it would pursue refunds and compensation for customers.
Da Vinci, which acts as an agent for exclusive Italian brands including Versace Home and Armani Casa, also apologised to partner companies for any 'associated harmful influence' on their reputations.
Most Cappelletti furniture in a Da Vinci outlet in Shanghai was labelled 'not for sale' yesterday.
