Shein opened their first permanent store in Paris inside the BHV department store. The opening incited crowds of protesters waving anti-Shein signs.
Public concern already surrounds Shein on social issues such as supply chain environmental costs and labor practices.
French independent brands including Odaje and Figaret Paris pulled their products from BHV out of protest and to remove their association with Shein’s high-volume fast-fashion model.
France Suspends Shein’s Online Store
On the same day as the store opening, France’s Finance Ministry suspended access to Shein’s online marketplace. They will not remove the suspension until the company complies with French laws.
The suspension was triggered by the scandal of Shein listing “childlike sex dolls”, among other problematic products.
Shein responded with the removal of the products on French sites and claimed to have launched an internal investigation on how the products appeared on their site.
France has long criticized Shein’s ultra fast-fashion business due to it’s environmental goals. In June 2025, French legislation passed the anti-fast fashion bill that targeted Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu.
Read more about France’s Anti-Fast Fashion Bill.
Laws in France can serve as a model for other countries to regulate the harmful effects of fast fashion.
Earlier this year, Shein received a Greenwashing Fine in Italy for 1 million euros over misleading sustainability claims. Investigations found Shein’s claims around recyclability, emissions, and sustainability to be exaggerated including Shein’s “evoluSHEIN by Design” collection.
Sources: euronews, The Guardian
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