France tries to resist Shein's dominance
24.11.2025 1683

France tries to resist Shein's dominance

Over 80 members of parliament, led by Sandrine Le Feur (EPR), chair of the National Assembly's Sustainable Development Committee, are calling for a ban on Shein in France to "protect workers, public health, and the planet." Twelve French retail federations and several major brands have filed an "unprecedented" lawsuit against Shein for unfair competition, citing regulatory noncompliance.

Fast fashion giant Shein, a Chinese marketplace that recently opened its first department store in Paris's BHV department store, has been accused of "unfair competition" and flooding the market with "toxic products" (referring to child-like sex toys that Shein once offered but has since withdrawn from circulation). Retail associations and members of parliament are demanding a ban on the marketplace's operations in France.

A hearing on the possible suspension of Shein's operations in France is scheduled for December 2 and will take place at a Paris court.

Furthermore, this week, members of parliament representing all political parties (except the LFI, RN, and UDR factions) submitted a draft European resolution to the National Assembly calling for stricter measures against certain online platforms. The resolution will be debated on Wednesday.

Shein has already been fined three times in France this year, totaling €191 million, in particular for false advertising and misleading information.

Shein is opening stores not only in Paris but also in many other French cities, occupying spaces that formerly belonged to the historic department store chain Galeries Lafayette. The French group SGM, which owned the spaces, has transferred ownership to a Chinese conglomerate. Now, in the space where the luxury and premium department stores once stood, the Chinese company Shein offers affordable merchandise.

During the opening of Shein Paris, a huge line of shoppers formed at the BHV department store in the center of the French capital. Simultaneously, a campaign of opposition to Shein was launched by civil society organizations. Journalists interviewed Shein customers and called on them to exercise social responsibility, highlighting the Chinese conglomerate's use of "slave labor" and violations of social norms in its production, the release of "toxic products," and so on.

In a challenging economic climate, with many French retailers forced to close stores due to rising rents, a foreign retailer is taking over, transforming the established landscape of France's commercial market.

A Shein representative has already responded to WWD, stating that the claims made by French retail associations are unfounded. "We regret that these parties have chosen to continue litigation rather than engage in constructive dialogue." "This initiative is more akin to a boycott than a genuine lawsuit and directly contradicts the spirit of French and European competition law, which aims to protect innovation and consumer choice, not restrict them," he added.

Marina Shumilina

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More than 80 members of parliament, led by Sandrine Le Fer (EPR), chair of the National Assembly's Sustainable Development Committee, are calling for a ban on Shein in France to "protect...
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