Chinese search engine firm Baidu.com's online shopping platform Youa has launched a physical store certification program, providing physical store certification service and operating qualification service to its contracted vendors.

According to Baidu.com, this move aims to change the current single credit standard situation in China's online shopping sector.

The company said the physical store certification service targets online store operators who also manage offline physical stores. They can gain a physical store certification mark after uploading the business licenses, instructions and pictures of their physical stores and gain approval from Youa. This mark will be displayed with the vendors' credit files in their online shops. In addition, they will gain a module and a page to introduce their physical stores.

For vendors who have operating qualifications but do not have physical stores, they can upload relevant certifications and will be able to show these certifications in their online shops after being approved.