#Shein

#Shein

Since its zany first episode in 1999, "SpongeBob SquarePants" has occupied a special space in pop culture. What started as a quirky Nickelodeon cartoon quickly evolved into a cult phenomenon, attracting not just kids but also millennials, Gen Z, and even their parents. Now, SHEIN is channeling all that Bikini Bottom energy for your winter wardrobe with a limited-edition SpongeBob collection that's equal parts nostalgic, meme-worthy, and wearable.

The company, which had been considering a 50bn float on the London Stock Exchange but is expected to list in Hong Kong, paid just 9.6m in corporation tax despite taking 2bn in sales last year. The payment is equivalent to 25% of the 38.2m in pre-tax profits it made in the UK in 2024, according to accounts filed at Companies House, in line with the UK corporation tax rate.

The retail giant's chief executives said the de minimis loophole, which until now allowed small parcels under $800 to enter the US duty-free, would hit competitors like Shein. Trump is set to close the de minimis exemption for goods coming from all countries on Friday. Francis Conforti, Urban Outfitters' operating chief, said the exemption had "really immaterial impact" on the company and that he was not worried that its absence would impact the business.

Liam Byrne MP expressed that any easing of disclosure rules for Shein would not only compromise the UK's listing regime but also risk reputational harm to its financial markets.

A consumer organization filed a complaint with the European Commission against Shein for employing "dark patterns" to manipulate online shopping behavior.

Unlike earlier times, now ... [the] market is saturated with multiple options and offers, and user interest can quickly dwindle," Yugal Joshi, partner at global research firm Everest Group, told Rest of World.

U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order revokes the de minimis exemption for Chinese imports under $800, changing the landscape for companies like Shein and Temu.

Shein and Temu are raising prices starting April 25 due to increased operating expenses and new tariffs, prompting shoppers to order before prices increase.

Temu and Shein warn shoppers of upcoming price hikes due to Trump's tariffs, as the US-China trade war continues to escalate and impact global retail strategies.

Chinese online retailers Temu and Shein are significantly reducing their US digital advertising expenditures, impacting major social media platforms like Meta and YouTube.