No refund , exchange only..No consumer rights here!!

I am appaulled that retail stores still refuse refunds even with the consumer protection act in place. I bought a pair of tekkies for my son and it was too small on the 14/12/2018. I returned back to the shop for an exchange but they didnt have the right size after searching for 40 min for something else, l went to the counter and told her l cand find anything else they dont have the correct size. She just said sorry we only do exchange. I post the question to her "what am l supposed to do with a small tekkie that doesnt fit my son? And she rep**** with an attitude we getting new stock next week come back then. This mall mind you is 1 hour drive from me. She could've given me my refund so l could go to another shop to buy a shoe that will fit my son.. Why are these ppl still allowed to have that sign up that says " no refund, exchange only" where is our rights than. This is my money after all, l ddnt get this tekkies for free..