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The government suspends the Shein platform

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The Editor

© Jagoda Bartus

In response to a series of controversies and the discovery of pedocriminal products being sold on its marketplace, the government has decided to temporarily suspend the Shein platform. This is a significant first step against the Chinese fast-fashion giant.

It was supposed to be a well-orchestrated marketing move: the opening of Shein's first physical store at BHV Marais this Wednesday at noon, right in the heart of Paris. But just a few hours later, the government launched a temporary suspension procedure for the digital platform.

« Following the Prime Minister's instructions, the government is initiating the suspension procedure for Shein, for as long as it takes for the platform to show that it complies with our laws », states the announcement from Matignon. In other words: the party's over, at least for a little while.


A BHV Opening That Turns into a Fiasco

The irony of the situation has caused quite a stir among observers. Because while customers explored the shiny shelves of the pop-up store, Shein found itself at the center of a new media storm: the sale of sexual dolls with pedocriminal characteristics by third-party sellers hosted on its marketplace. An explosive cocktail that forced the executives to make a tough decision.

Already regularly accused of massive pollution, indecent working conditions, and unfair competition, Shein sees its reputation take another hit.

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A Buildup of Scandals for Fast Fashion

The situation took a dramatic turn when a buyer, already convicted of sexual assault, was apprehended in Bouches-du-Rhône after ordering a doll resembling a young girl from China.

This sparked outrage among child welfare organizations. "We cannot negotiate with a company that has profited from pedocriminal products," denounces Arnaud Gallais, president of Mouv’enfants, in an opinion piece published in Libération.

Facing the anger, the Minister of Economy Roland Lescure raised his voice as well: « The platforms that sell this type of products do not belong in France » This threat was taken seriously by Sébastien Lecornu, who is now on the front lines to show that the government won't back down against e-commerce giants.


Shein reacts, but trust is broken

For its part, Shein stated that it « takes note » of the government's decision and wishes to « engage in dialogue quickly ». In the meantime, the platform announced it would suspend its French « marketplace », in other words, the products offered by third-party sellers,  while specifying that this measure was « not directly related » to the suspension order.

born in Paris.

As of today, it's not clear if the suspension procedure initiated by the government for Shein in France also affects the brand's physical store in the BHV Marais. 

But for public opinion, the nuance is thin. The image of a brand associated with dubious, or even unacceptable practices, now sticks to Shein. It remains to be seen if the Chinese giant can restore its image, or if this suspension will mark the beginning of a long digital desert journey.

In the meantime, Shein's French servers are running slowly, and fast fashion made in scandal just got a great lesson in law (and morality).