What sparked a French furore over a Shein store in Paris?

"The French authorities have warned they may block market access to Chinese retailer Shein after it emerged the online fashion giant was selling sex dolls with a disturbingly childlike appearance. Shein, which said the dolls were being sold by third-party sellers on its site, is scheduled to open its very first bricks-and-mortar store inside the upmarket department store BHV in Paris this week."

"Last week, France's consumer watchdog the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) said it had discovered the dolls on Shein's website, noting that their descriptions left little doubt as to their paedophilic nature. The watchdog also fined Shein 40 million euros for what it called deceptive pricing practices and for overstating its environmental record."

"France's economy minister, Roland Lescure, told BFM TV on Monday: In cases involving terrorism, drug trafficking, or child pornographic materials, the government has the right to request that access to the French market be prohibited. Frederic Merlin, president of Societe des Grands Magasins, which owns BHV, called the sale of the dolls on Shein's platform indecent."

French authorities may block Shein's access to the French market after listings of sex dolls with a childlike appearance were found on its platform. The DGCCRF discovered the dolls and said their descriptions indicated a paedophilic nature, and fined Shein €40 million for deceptive pricing and overstating environmental credentials. France's economy minister stated the government can prohibit market access in cases involving child pornographic materials. BHV's owner called the listings indecent, and protests occurred ahead of Shein's first permanent Paris store opening. Shein also faces criticism over factory conditions and environmental impacts of fast, disposable fashion.

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