PDL files million yuan lawsuit against influencer

Chinese retail and supermarket chain Pangdonglai has filed a defamation lawsuit against a social media influencer surnamed Duan, seeking compensation of at least 1 million yuan ($140,000) after the vlogger alleged that the dye on underwear she bought at the supermarket caused her to have an allergic reaction.

The lawsuit is one of eight that the supermarket chain, also known as PDL, has initiated to protect its reputation and trademark rights. The chain publicized the cases, as well as a list of nine additional lawsuits that it intends to file, on its WeChat account on Saturday.

PDL's feud with Duan began in early February, when the influencer, using the name Liangge Xiaoduan, uploaded a video on the popular short-video platform Douyin. She claimed the allergic reaction resulted from underwear she bought at a PDL supermarket, and that she had been treated very badly by aftersales employees after lodging a complaint.