Shein To Open Five More Stores in France This Week Amid Ongoing Controversy

Chinese fast fashion company Shein, which sparked controversy when it opened its first offline store in Paris, France, in November last year, will open additional stores in five provincial cities in France this week.

According to daily newspaper Le Figaro on the 24th (local time), Shein stores will open on the morning of the 25th at BHV department stores in the provincial cities of Limoges, Angers, Dijon, Grenoble, and Reims.

Because Shein's first Paris store faced multiple controversies and criticisms, the opening of these new locations was delayed from the originally planned schedule.

In 2024, Shein opened its first offline pop-up store in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Yonhap News

With only a few weeks left before the local elections, the opening of Shein's provincial stores is expected to once again become a hot topic in political circles.

Frederic Merlin, Chairman of Societe des Grands Magasins (SGM), the parent company of BHV department store, told Le Figaro, "There is genuine demand from customers, and Shein will draw foot traffic into city centers," expressing confidence by adding, "There is no reason for Shein's expansion to become a subject of controversy in the local elections."

When Shein, regarded as a leading player in the fast fashion industry, opened its first permanent offline store in Paris, the city of fashion, the French fashion industry pushed back, calling it "an insult to the French fashion world."

Concerns were also raised in political circles over Shein's labor-exploitative production model, environmental destruction caused by overproduction, and product safety issues. In particular, it was revealed that adult dolls resembling children were being sold on Shein's online platform, prompting the French authorities to launch an investigation.

Galeries Lafayette Group, which had been operating provincial department stores in partnership with SGM, even terminated its partnership.