Refund in a form of gift card

I bought a dress last week using debit card, when I retuned it today was told that they do not do cash refund/debit card refund but they issue gift cards. It is unfair to be forced to take gift card instead of cash which you can go out and buy something else somewhere else. Edgars is ensuring that their sales are not affected by items returned and like it or not you will come back to use their gift card in their shop instead of taking your refund somewhere else. This is nothing but unfair practice and violation of consumers right to choose where they want to use their money. On their refund terms and conditions (slip obtained on date of purchase) there is nothing indicating debit card /cash refund will not be given but gift card will be issued instead,as customer you can think twice whether to take item or leave it. Such act makes me conclude that Edcon(Edgars) is more concerned about their sales&profit and not concerned about consumers' satisfaction and robbing consumers.