"It's degrading"... "An insult to the fashion industry"
Chinese e-commerce fast fashion company Shein.
In the heart of the fashion capital Paris, France, in the Marais district, Shein opened its first permanent offline store in the iconic Beauchamp Department Store.
On that day, crowds gathered in front of the department store from early morning, eagerly waiting for the opening.
In contrast, online petitions opposing the opening of the Shein store have been posted, and protests continue.
Shein uses big data to select popular designs and produces new products at ultra-fast speed, completing them in just four to five days. During this process, some factories have been criticized for exploiting child labor and for unethical production practices, such as requiring employees to work up to 75 hours per week. The company has also sparked controversy by selling adult dolls modeled after children online, and has been sued multiple times for copying or misusing the logos and designs of well-known brands. Additionally, there are increasing concerns about the environmental pollution caused by such a giant fast fashion company.
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"How dare they" ... and yet
Proud Parisians Couldn’t Resist the Opening Rush
Ultra-cheap Chinese Fashion ‘Shein’ Invades Paris
Customers visiting the Paris Shine store. /Photo by AFP Yonhap News
Citizens lining up outside BHV Department Store on the first day of Shein's offline store opening, and the bustling interior of the Shein store after opening. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
The department store revealed that around 50,000 people visited Shein’s first permanent offline store, which opened at a department store in Paris, France, on November 5, 2025. Frederic Merlin, Chairman of the parent company of BHV Department Store, Societe des Grands Magasins (SGM), posted on his social media on November 9 (local time), “In just a few days, more than 50,000 visitors have come to the Shein store.”
Chairman Merlin reported that the average amount spent by customers at Shein was about 45 euros (approximately 75,000 won), and about 15% of visitors also shopped at other stores within the department store.
"The visitors were vibrant, diverse, and from all walks of life." "Attacking Shein is essentially attacking these faces."
Clothes displayed at Shein's first offline space in BHV Marais Department Store, Paris, France, on November 5, 2025. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
"While other department stores have turned toward luxury and tourists, BHV has remained the department store for Parisians-a space for everyday, real, and authentic life." - Chairman Frederic Merlin
On November 5, 2025, at the BHV department store in Paris, France, Karl Stephane Cottendin, CEO of SGM, is preparing for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of Shein's first offline store. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
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"Cheap, Shein Should Be Ashamed" vs. "Welcome, This Is the Trend of the Times"
Opening Rush and Expulsion Protests Occur Simultaneously
A banner with the words "Shein no thanks" is hanging on a window of Paris City Hall. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
Amid protests against the Shein opening, supporters of the association MoveEnfants are holding placards reading "BHV's Shame." Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
A counter-protester is being dragged out of a Shein store (right). Photo by AP Yonhap News
Even before opening at BHV Department Store, Shein faced a flood of opposition, including supplier withdrawals, union protests, and citizen petitions. Not only the French fashion industry but also local governments and civic groups objected, turning the issue into a political and social controversy.
"We oppose Shein establishing itself in the heart of Paris." "Their website is appalling, and we must protect the French textile industry and European expertise." - Marine Cajard, Leader of the Young Future Party
On the day of the opening, huge crowds gathered in front of the department store. While citizens eagerly awaited the event, various human rights, environmental, and civic organizations, as well as local politicians, staged protests. Shein was criticized for threatening the French fashion and retail industries with ultra-cheap products made through labor exploitation, and even for allegedly encouraging child sexual exploitation crimes. When some protesters entered the store, security personnel escorted them out.
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Shein Sold ‘Adult Dolls’ ... Parcels Thoroughly Inspected
On November 6, at the logistics warehouse of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy, France, customs officers wearing white gloves are opening piled-up parcels originating from 'Shein', while government officials including Serge Papin, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, and Amelie de Montchalin, Minister of Public Accounts, along with the press, watch them closely. A customs official said it would take at least a month to open 200,000 parcels and identify illegal items. /ABACAPRESS
Recently, Shein was found to have sold adult dolls modeled after young girls holding teddy bears on its online marketplace in France. On November 1, the French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control filed a complaint against Shein for the distribution and sale of child pornography, and on November 5, the government requested a court order to block access to the site, stating that “Shein has repeatedly and systematically violated French law.” The Ministry of Finance announced, “At the direction of the Prime Minister, we are initiating procedures to suspend Shein’s services.”
Amelie de Montchalin, Minister of Public Accounts in charge of French customs, visited Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on November 6 and announced, “We have decided to open and inspect all 200,000 Shein parcels that arrived in France within the past 24 hours.” It is extremely rare for customs to open every parcel from overseas personal purchases.
"Even in the initial checks, we found unapproved cosmetics (under French law), toys dangerous to children, counterfeit goods, and substandard electronic products."
The French authorities plan to decide whether to suspend Shein’s business operations based on the results of this comprehensive investigation.
Shein, which challenged France's 'pride' by forcibly opening the world's first offline store in the heart of Paris, the center of fashion.
An online petition opposing Shein's opening has surpassed 130,000 signatures as of November 11.
However, despite this situation, tens of thousands have visited since the opening.
They argue that European SPA brands like Zara and H&M also manufacture in factories in China, and welcome the cost-effective shopping offered by Shein.
The department store plans to open five more stores in France in the future.
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