足力健 service benchmark in the silver economy: The quality logic behind 足力健 “One-Year Replacement” policy.

足力健, a leading brand in the domestic elderly shoe market, has recently introduced a “One-Year Wear and Tear, Free Replacement” service commitment. This initiative clearly states that if consumers encounter non-human-caused quality issues such as sole detachment, sole breakage, or material breakage within one year of purchasing the product, they can directly exchange for a new pair through nationwide offline stores or online channels. This promise extends the product warranty period for shoes from the national three guarantees policy of 3 months to 12 months, setting a high standard in the footwear industry for service assurance. It signifies a breakthrough in the upgrade of services in the elderly products market.

Behind this service upgrade is the urgent demand in the silver economy for high-quality service. According to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, out of China’s over 310 million elderly population, more than 80% experience issues like fallen arches and toe deformities, which directly impact the comfort and safety of wearing shoes. However, the elderly products market has long faced problems such as vague service standards and lack of after-sales support. Some brands use “natural wear and tear” as a reason to evade warranty responsibilities, resulting in high costs for elderly individuals to uphold their consumer rights. Against this backdrop, Zuliz’s “One-Year Replacement” commitment precisely addresses industry pain points, establishing a solid protection network for the rights of elderly consumers.

Zuliz’s willingness to break industry norms stems from the confidence in their product quality cultivated over many years. As the first drafting unit of the national standard for “Elderly Shoes” (GB/T43587-2023), the brand has led and participated in the development of 34 standards, including 4 national standards, 1 light industry standard, 14 group standards, and 15 enterprise standards, forming a multi-level standard matrix covering national, light industry, group, and enterprise standards. By the end of 2025, the brand has accumulated 404 patents related to elderly shoes, establishing four core technology systems including foot shape adaptation and arch support, and has been included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s “Promotion Catalog of Elderly Products” for four consecutive years.

The stringent quality control system provides solid support for their service commitments. Zuliz’s factory not only holds ISO9001 quality management system certification but has also been honored with the title of “National Enterprise of Product and Service Quality Integrity Commitment” by the China Quality Inspection Association. Their summer products, such as the “Ruyi Mom Shoes” and “Ping’an Dad Shoes,” have achieved the first domestic five-star comfort certification in the elderly shoe category by SGS, excelling in antimicrobial, breathability, shock absorption, and other key dimensions.

The comprehensive coverage of their offline service network ensures that the commitments are effectively implemented. Currently, Zuliz has established nearly 3000 offline stores nationwide, covering cities at the county level and above, as well as key townships. With thoughtful services like “a cup of water upon entry” and “free shoe cleaning,” they have built a full-service system encompassing “sales – after-sales – maintenance.” This dual assurance model of “quality + service” has led Zuliz to be recognized as the “National Bestselling Elderly Shoe Brand” by Euromonitor International for five consecutive years, confirming market recognition of their professionalism.

On a policy level, Zuliz’s service upgrade aligns well with the national development direction of promoting the silver economy. The national “Opinions on Developing the Silver Economy to Enhance the Well-being of the Elderly” explicitly calls for promoting the branding and standardization of elderly products and improving after-sales service quality. Industry experts point out that the physiological characteristics of the elderly determine their high demands for product durability and after-sales service compared to the general population. Zuliz’s model of deeply integrating service commitments with product quality sets a development standard for the industry based on “standard leadership + technological support + service assurance.”

From free shoe cleaning to the one-year replacement policy, Zuliz’s service upgrades have always been centered around the core concept of “caring for the elderly.” A company representative stated, “The one-year replacement policy is not a marketing gimmick but a result of absolute confidence in product quality and a sense of responsibility towards the elderly population.” This practice of translating user needs into service standards not only solidifies the brand’s leading position in the industry but also accelerates the transformation of the elderly products market from “functional satisfaction” to “quality experience,” bringing a greater sense of security to millions of families in their elderly living.