Shein's Paris store kicks up a storm in France

"Shein announced last week that it would open its first permanent physical store in November at BHV Marais, an iconic building that has stood across from Paris City Hall since 1856. The move prompted some French brands to announce they would leave BHV Marais, but the department store had already been losing tenants over late payments. Aime cosmetics line co-founder Mathilde Lacombe, whose brand was among those that decided to leave following Shein's announcement, said she was "deeply shocked" by the deal."

"Critics fear that Shein -- whose meteoric rise has been a bane for traditional retail fashion companies -- will further hurt stores in France that have had to lay off staff or close. Founded in China and now based in Singapore, the fast-fashion giant sells a wide variety of products at ultra-competitive prices. But it has also been under global scrutiny over its business model's impact on the environment and labour conditions at its textile factories."

""Opposite the Paris Mayor's office, they will create a new Shein Megastore that -- after having destroyed dozens of French brands -- could flood our market even more massively with disposable products," said the trade association for French ready-to-wear women's clothing companies, the FFPAPF."

"The European Commission is investigating Shein over risks linked to illegal products, while EU lawmakers last month approved legislation aimed at curbing fast fashion's environmental impact. "Shein's arrival goes against our convictions," former French environmental transition minister Christophe Bechu told AFP."

Shein will open its first permanent physical store in November at BHV Marais, a Parisian department store opposite City Hall that has operated since 1856. The announcement prompted anger and led several French brands to say they would leave BHV Marais, while the store had been losing tenants over late payments. Critics warn that Shein's rapid expansion could further damage traditional retailers already facing layoffs and closures. The company, founded in China and now based in Singapore, sells many products at ultra-competitive prices. Regulators and lawmakers have scrutinised Shein over environmental, labour and illegal product risks, and the European Commission is investigating.

Read at The Local France