Unacceptable policy!

Rage Westgate! I went in store to exchange shoes that i got as a gift, i obviously dont have a receipt. The person who bought the shoes for me has lost the receipt.I was told if i dont have a receipt then there's nothing they can do, so does this mean im now stuck with a product i cant use forever! What policy is this! The Consumer protection says if you dont have a receipt you can exchange the product to the same value you bought but will not be refunded. The store manager Happy Tabane was very rude and was in a hurry to close the store.we cant tolerate such service as customers! This is totally unacceptable! So please advice what should i do with these brand new shoes???