In an attempt to counter a recent boycott of their stores, the working staff at all Carrefour chain stores in Beijing donned new uniforms on Friday to show their patriotism and support for the upcoming Olympics.

The new uniform includes a red T-shirt bearing the pattern of the national flag, blue jeans, and a cap labeled with "Beijing 2008" and an Olympic flag, the Beijing News reports.

A staff member surnamed Li from the Zhongguancun Carrefour store explained that they received the new uniform on Friday and were asked to change their clothes right away.

"The move is a gesture of goodwill from Carrefour," she said, "It might be able to stop the boycott."

A photo taken on April 26, 2008 shows working staff at Zhongguancun Carrefour store wearing new uniforms. (photo: The Beijing News)

The T-shirt was said to be valued at 199 yuan (US$28), and the cap at 79 yuan (US$11), but the entire outfit was free of charge for the staff; although they do have to provide their own jeans.

It's not clear yet whether the new uniform will be worn in the Carrefour stores in other cities around the country, according to the public relations manager of Carrefour in north China.

Talking about the motive behind the clothes change, the manager said Carrefour hopes to express its support for the Beijing Olympics, which is approaching the 100-day countdown.

Carrefour's customers seem to recognize the spirit of goodwill. A customer at the Zhongguancun Carrefour store surnamed Gu says he appreciates the attitude of Carrefour.

Another customer surnamed Li at the Baishiqiao Carrefour store thinks the current boycott is not aimed at Carrefour's status as a French retailer, but is rather the expression of the Chinese people's anger over the disruptions to the Olympic torch relay.

On April 7th, the torch relay in Paris was interrupted several times. The most notable incident occurred when several supporters of Tibetan independence rushed to the wheelchair-bound torch bearer Jin Jing and tried to snatch away the torch.

After that incident Chinese netizens called for a boycott of the French Carrefour stores and some other foreign retailers.

(CRI April 28, 2008)