Scandal overshadows opening of Shein’s first Paris store – online store suspended in France

According to the French prosecutor’s office, in addition to Shein, other online marketplaces, including AliExpress, Temu and Wish, are also under investigation for “violent, pornographic or degrading content” that minors may have had access to. According to a statement from Shein, the affected products were immediately removed, third-party sales suspended, and an internal investigation was launched.

The opening was attended by protesters who protested the company’s ultra-fast fashion model and drew attention to unsustainable, exploitative manufacturing practices. Shein’s operations have already sparked controversy in France: last year, the government proposed a bill that would impose a €5 eco-tax on ultra-fast fashion products and limit their advertising.

The scandal could also hinder the company’s physical expansion: Shein had planned new stores in several French cities, including Dijon and Reims, but Galeries Lafayette – which would have provided space for the stores – terminated the cooperation after the incident.

For Shein, the Paris scandal is not only a loss of image, but also a serious market risk: the company has already faced a lot of criticism in the EU for its duty-free small packages and the lack of transparency in its supply chain. The French suspension could thus set a precedent for accelerating EU regulatory tightening.