Shein, the clothing company that built a huge reputation online for fast fashion, opened its first physical store in Paris on Wednesday. But not without controversy.
The French Finance Ministry announced shortly afterwards that it was suspending Shein’s online platform until it complied with French laws and regulations.
A few days ago, Sheen faced criticism from French authorities for listing “child-like” sex dolls for sale.
“On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the government is initiating proceedings to suspend Shein until the platform can demonstrate to authorities that all of its content is ultimately in compliance with our laws and regulations,” the ministry said in a statement.
Shein has temporarily suspended market sales in France
Shein said in a statement that it was temporarily suspending its marketplace in France, with a spokesman saying the move had already been planned before the Finance Ministry’s statement.
A Shein spokesperson told Reuters News that the company was seeking immediate consultation with authorities on the suspension of its online platform.
Why is Sheen under investigation?
The company, which was founded in China but is now based in Singapore, has come under criticism for poor environmental, labor and human rights practices.
But recently, Sheen got embroiled in controversy when a report said that she was selling child-like sex dolls on her website.
The French consumer watchdog said last week it had discovered the dolls on Shein’s website, noting that their description and classification left no doubt about their childlike pornographic nature.
Sheen said it was banning all sex dolls from its website and temporarily removing its adult products line while it reviewed procedures.
The company will be questioned by lawmakers over the issue within two weeks, with the French economy minister saying earlier this week that he would seek a ban on Shein’s online store in France if such incidents happened again.
Protest outside Shein store in Paris
She opened shop in one of the city’s most prestigious department stores, the BHV Marais Department Store, located right across the street from Paris City Hall.
The company has been a hit online, but its move toward brick-and-mortar stores to boost sales in the center of the world’s fashion capital hasn’t gone over well with politicians and retailers.
Labor groups and retailers condemned the opening of the Paris store as they denounced the infiltration of a low-cost Chinese company into France, BMFTV reported.
Some BHV employees had also protested against the opening of the store last week. Several dozen protesters camped outside the BHV store before it opened on Wednesday.
For example, an online petition opposing the opening of the Paris store has garnered over 120,000 signatures.
Many people are lining up to enter Shein’s first physical store
But similarly, people were standing in queues in front of the store, customers said that they trusted the clothes which were not so expensive.
The head of BHV Store According to French broadcaster BMFTV, he said he was serving people who depended on clothes they could buy.
Edited by: Zack Crellin