150,000 : that's the number of visitors that the management claims to have attracted in just fifteen days, presented as proof of a grand launch. However, on-site, the atmosphere feels more like a quiet showroom than a triumphant opening.
Several customers report having found very few choices and note that prices are sometimes tripled compared to the website, prompting them to continue shopping online. Some visitors even explain that they noticed almost no one heading to the registers despite being there for quite a while.
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A crowd was expected, but the baskets are empty
According to retail sector data, a standard conversion rate in physical stores is around 20%. At a glance, the fast-fashion brand corner seems far from that level.
The arrival of the Chinese giant was supposed to be a driving force for the department store, but internal teams are describing, on the contrary, a decline in traditional customers right from the pop-up opening. Premium brands, which usually bring in traffic and margins, are gradually heading for the exit. The departures of several major brands reportedly happened in just a few days, leaving large sections of the store empty.
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This exodus accelerates a broader erosion: according to the Federation of Specialty Commerce, the foot traffic in department stores has already decreased by nearly 8% in a year, and the Shein effect could worsen this local trend.
Legal pressures and an uncertain digital future
The picture doesn't get any clearer on the digital front. The platform is facing the threat of suspension for up to three months. Specifically, access providers could be ordered to block access to the site and search engines might be asked to de-index the brand, a measure that could lead to a drastic drop in its visibility. In e-commerce, a 70% loss of visibility often means an immediate drop in revenue.
es.En greve au BHV Marais !
— Sud Commerce IDF (@SudIdf) October 10, 2025
Soutien aux salariés et non à l'arrivée de Shein ! pic.twitter.com/zlCNPPIB6y
This is joined by judicial investigations targeting the platform, in a context where several online commerce players are also under the watchful eye of the authorities. All of this creates a cloud of uncertainty at the very moment the brand is trying to make its mark in physical retail.