Jump to content

Shein

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shein
Native name
希音
FormerlyZZKKO
IndustryRetail
FoundedOctober 2008; 16 years ago (2008-10) in Nanjing, China
FounderChris Xu
Headquarters112 Robinson Road,
Key people
Chris Xu (Founder & CEO)
Leigh Gui (CFO)
Number of employees
10,000+
ParentRoadget Business Pte. Ltd.
SubsidiariesMOTF
ROMWE
Websiteshein.com Edit this at Wikidata
Footnotes / references
[1][2]
Shein
Chinese希音
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXīyīn
Bopomofoㄒㄧ ㄧㄣ
Wade–GilesHsi1-yin1
Tongyong PinyinSi-yin
IPA[ɕí.ín]
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpinghei1 jam1

Shein (/ˈʃɪn/ SHEE-in; styled as SHEIN; Chinese: 希音; pinyin: Xīyīn) is a global e-commerce platform specializing in fast fashion. While the company primarily focuses on women's clothing, it also offers men's apparel, children's wear, accessories, makeup, shoes, bags, and other fashion items. SHEIN mainly targets Europe, America, Australia, and the Middle East along with other consumer markets worldwide.

Founded in Nanjing, China, in October 2008 as ZZKKO by entrepreneur Chris Xu, Shein grew to become the world's largest fashion retailer as of 2022. The company is currently headquartered in Singapore.

Known for selling relatively inexpensive apparel, Shein's success has been credited to its popularity among Generation Z consumers.[3] The company was initially compared to a drop shipping business, as it was not involved in design and manufacturing, instead sourcing products from the wholesale clothing market in Guangzhou.[4][5] Beginning in 2012, Shein began to establish its own supply chain system, transforming itself into a fully integrated retailer.[5] The company has established its supply chain in Guangzhou with a network of more than 3,000 suppliers as of 2022. However, it has faced controversy due to the reports of Chinese sweatshops and child labor.[6]

In 2022, the company moved its headquarters from China to Singapore for regulatory, international expansion, and financial reasons – while keeping its supply chains and warehouses in China.[7] In 2022, Shein generated US$24 billion in revenue, a sum almost as large as established retailers Zara and H&M.[6] Shein was valued at $100 billion after a funding round in April 2022.[8] According to Bloomberg Businessweek and others, Shein's business model has benefitted from the China–United States trade war, particularly with regard to tax advantages.[9] In recent years, Shein has found itself in the middle of trademark disputes, lawsuits involving competitors, product safety concerns, as well as accusations of tax evasion and being involved in labor law and human rights violations.[10]

History

[edit]

2008–2012: founding and early business model

[edit]

Shein, originally named ZZKKO, was founded in China in 2008 by entrepreneur and search engine optimization (SEO) marketing specialist Chris Xu (Xu Yangtian).[11][5][12] Information on Xu's educational and career background remains elusive as of 2022, with sources conflicting on details of his biography. According to The Guardian, some sources have described him as a Chinese-American who graduated from George Washington University (GWU). However, other sources indicate that Xu was born in 1984 in Shandong province, and was educated at Qingdao University of Science and Technology. The Guardian notes that Xu is depicted in Chinese media coverage as an average student of poor origins. Shein has insisted that Xu was born in China.[12]

The website SheInside.com was registered in March 2011, advertising itself as "a worldwide leading wedding dress company", although it sold general womenswear as well.[13][11] The company acquired its items from Guangzhou's wholesale clothing market, which is a central hub to many of the company's garment manufacturers and markets.

At the time, Shein had no involvement in the design or production of the garments; it functioned similarly to a drop shipping firm, which sells items from third-party wholesalers directly to international customers.[5]

2012–2019: rebranding and retailer status

[edit]

Shein made their products available in Spain, France, Russia, Italy, and Germany in the early 2010s; in addition to selling women's clothing, the company sells cosmetics, shoes, purses, and jewelry.[5] In 2012, the company established the current website and began using social media marketing by collaborating with fashion bloggers for giveaways and advertising items on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.[5][6]

In 2014, Shein acquired Romwe, a Chinese e-commerce retailer, making it a "fully integrated retailer." By 2016, the company had 100 employees and had already established its headquarters in Guangzhou. The firm's name changed again in 2015 from Sheinside to Shein, claiming that it needed a name that was simpler to remember and easy to find online.[11]

By 2016, Xu gathered a team of 800 designers and prototype makers that manufactured Shein-branded clothing. The company began improving its supply chain, excluding vendors that provided low-quality items or photos.[5]

Registration in Singapore

[edit]

In 2019, Singapore-registered Roadget Business Pte listed Chris Xu and others as representatives. By 2021, Chinese corporate filing shows that Shein de-registered its main business, Nanjing Top Plus Information Technology Co Ltd.[14] Singapore filings reportedly shows Roadget as the legal entity operating Shein's global website and owns Shein's trademarks.[14]

2020–present

[edit]
People shopping for clothes in Huejotzingo, Mexico, in 2023

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it reportedly made $10 billion in revenue, making it the seventh consecutive year of more than 100% sales growth for the company.[11] As of October 2020, Shein was the world's largest online-only fashion firm.[11] Shein was noted for being an early adopter of TikTok as a promotional tool, and the firm's ability to advertise viral items boosted its popularity.[5]

By November 2021, Shein grew from a company valued at $15 billion to one valued at $30 billion.[11] According to Ernest Analytics, Shein became the largest fast fashion retailer in the United States in 2021, and had also launched online in Mexico.[15]

According to an investigation by Rest of World, Shein added anywhere between 2,000 and 10,000 individual styles to its app each day between July and December 2021.[16]

A survey of 7,000 American teenagers in 2022 ranked Shein as their second favorite e-commerce website.[13]

In 2022, Shein moved its headquarters to Singapore.[17]

In April 2022, Shein raised $1 billion to $2 billion in private funding and claimed 28% of the US fast fashion market. As of May 2022, it is the largest fast-fashion firm in the world.[13] In a May 2022 article in Fortune, the company was described as catering to Generation Z consumers while using big data and rapid Chinese manufacturing to quickly design clothing at lower prices. The company was valued at $100 billion.[18]

In October 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that Shein generated US$24 billion in revenue in 2022, becoming almost as large as traditional fast fashion brands such as Zara and H&M.[6] Its other competitors include ASOS, Fashion Nova, Forever 21, PrettyLittleThing, Temu, and Topshop.[19] In August 2023, Shein and SPARC Group (the company that owns Forever 21) entered into a joint venture where each company acquired a minority stake of the other.[20]

Expansion in North America and potential IPO

[edit]
Shein pop-up store in the Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, in 2023

Shein launched their marketplace, featuring third-party vendors, in Brazil and the United States in May 2022.[21] In 2022, Shein established a distribution center in Whitestown, Indiana,[22] with plans to open more distribution facilities in southern California and northeast US.[23] In November 2022, Shein opened a new corporate office and distribution center in Markham, Ontario, to function as Shein's main distribution hub in Canada.[24] Sales in 2022 were $23 billion.[21]

In July 2023, Shein announced to investors it had seen its highest recorded profits for a first half of a year. The company had an estimated value of $66 billion,[21] a drop from the estimated $100 billion in value in 2022, according to The Wall Street Journal.[25] In February 2023, Marcelo Claure was appointed chair of the Latin American operations of Shein.[26] According to reports, in 2023, although still domiciled in Singapore, Shein sourced primarily from manufacturers in China.[27][28] In 2023, Shein had 100 factories in Brazil, and had outlined plans to increase that number to 2,000.[29] In June 2023, the company faced an online backlash after international influencers toured and promoted its facilities in China.[25][30]

In 2023, The Information reported that Shein representatives had informal discussions with U.S.-based tech giants Amazon and Google about a potential investment in the company. The report notes that the company was expected to debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the future.[31] In August 2023 Shein received a temporary restraining order in the US against its competitive rival Temu on a trademark infringement case.[32] They also were involved in US lawsuits against each other with accusations of monopolization.[33] In June 2023, the company announced plans to open a warehouse in Mexico for a "bigger foothold" in Latin America.[34] In December 2023, Temu sued Shein, alleging illegal interference with its suppliers.[35]

In June 2024, Shein announced that it filed on the London Stock Exchange for an initial public offering, which generated criticism from human rights groups.[36][37]

Lawsuits with Temu

[edit]

In December 2022, Shein sued Temu alleging that Temu had enlisted online influencers "to make false and deceptive statements" about Shein to promote its own goods.[38]

In August 2023, Shein sought an injunction against Temu, filed in London's High Court, alleging the company had "identified thousands of instances" where Temu's sellers copied its listing photos. Shein requested all violating posts be taken down and at least £100,000 in damages.[39]

In February 2024, Temu hit back with a counterclaim in February, accusing Shein of breaking British competition law by tying suppliers of fast-fashion products to exclusive agreements, a claim it values at 4.2 million pounds ($5.5 million) and which Shein denies.[40] Temu also alleged that Shein “bullied, intimidated, and even detained” suppliers in China as part of a campaign of “mafia-style intimidation”.[40] Their cases at London's High Court are expected to come to trial towards the end of 2026.[41]

Marketing

[edit]

Shein is available through its website, and through dedicated mobile apps;[42] it is distributed on the Google Play Store, App Store, Galaxy Store, and Huawei AppGallery. According to CNN, TikTok plays a large role in driving customers to the company website due to a TikTok trend of bulk buying clothes from Shein and presenting Shein clothes to their audience like a standard haul video.[11] On May 17, 2021, the number of Shein's app downloads surpassed those of Amazon.[43] Shein was the second most popular shopping app globally in 2021, and the most-downloaded app in May 2022.[25]

Shein claims to utilize the psychology of the new generation and implements marketing strategies accordingly to achieve growth.[44] In 2020, Shein was the most talked-about brand on TikTok and YouTube, and the 4th most talked-about brand on Instagram.[45] Its low prices attract teenage internet shoppers with small budgets to post what they bought on social media.[44]

For user growth, the company offers relatively low prices to stimulate demand.[44] With more spending, customers can be rewarded with more discounts, which are encouraged to be applied to their next shopping trip.[44] Shein not only makes use of its algorithm-driven recommendation system but also attracts customers to visit the platform frequently to do tasks, like adding items to their cart, watching live streams, conducting reviews of already purchased items and joining its contest show, to win points which can be redeemed later.[11]

Manufacturing

[edit]
Shirt with Shein label, 2021

Originally, Shein did not design its clothes.[5] The company mainly sourced its clothing from China's wholesale clothing market in Guangzhou.[5] However, Shein became a fully integrated retailer in 2014 when it secured its supply chain system. Now, the company utilizes a network of manufacturing partners and suppliers to make and deliver its products.[5]

Shein makes predictions on trends and produces items as quickly as three days after the identification of a trend.[5] Shein also limits its orders to small batches of about 100 items to gauge customer interest. Order sizes are increased only if the small batches do well with consumers.[3] In contrast, its competitors such as Zara order larger quantities (about 500), increasing their chances of losing profit if orders are not purchased in full.[5] According to Bloomberg News, Shein's small-batch strategy is seen as key to its success. Suppliers working with Shein also saw their business grow as the scale increased.[46]

Lobbying

[edit]

In 2022, Shein hired Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Ben Quayle as lobbyists, according to U.S. federal lobbyist disclosures.[47][48] According to Politico, Shein's lobbying campaign is geared toward shaking off forced labor claims.[49]

Tax treatment

[edit]

Shein can avoid paying export and import taxes, contributing to larger margins.[9][5] The U.S. legislative bill Section 321 in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (also referred to as "de minimis") states that any import up to $800 per person is duty-free.[50] This bill has allowed Shein to deliver to the United States without paying taxes, allowing Shein to have a competitive advantage over domestic companies in the United States.[9] In September 2024, the Biden administration announced that it would propose a new rule closing the $800 de minimis exception for Chinese e-commerce retailers such as Shein.[51]

In April 2023, Brazilian officials stated that Shein used a loophole in Brazilian law to practice tax evasion and "smuggling" to consumers in the country.[52]

Tax evasion accusations

[edit]

The United Kingdom requires foreign sellers shipping low-value consignments (under £135) to register for UK VAT, collect VAT from buyers on such shipments, and remit it to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs.[53] It has been suggested that Shein failed to do so for at least 9 months after the requirement took effect, and its website does not display its UK corporate registration number or itemize VAT, as UK rules require.[54]

Controversies

[edit]

Environmental impact

[edit]

Deutsche Welle released in late 2021 a video detailing the ultra-fast-fashion system Shein is built on, criticizing the targeting of young adolescents less likely to make wise financial decisions, as well as the caused environmental impact.[55] Other media outlets have pointed at the addictive nature of the app, noting how its low prices get people to buy things they do not need.[56] Due to the affordability of Shein, most clothes are not high quality and can lead people to dispose of them, exacerbating the textile waste problem.[57] In 2023, Time magazine reported that the company was producing more than 6.3 million tons of carbon dioxide every year.[58] The manufacturers’ rapid use of virgin polyester and large consumption of oil churns out the same amount of CO2 as approximately 180 coal-fired power plants.[59]

In response to criticism, Shein launched a resale service on its US app that enables the buying and selling of secondhand Shein fashion. There are mixed reactions to the efficacy of this initiative. Shein pieces are highly affordable hence customers may choose to buy a new item rather than purchase a resale piece.[60]

Unsafe chemical exposure

[edit]

Shein was also cited in a Marketplace investigation overseen by professor Miriam Diamond at the University of Toronto for selling toddlers' jackets that contained almost 20 times the amount of lead permitted under Health Canada's safety regulations.[61] The company also sold a red purse that contained five times the permitted amount of lead.[61] Shein notified Marketplace that they would stop selling the two items and would stop getting supplies from the corresponding suppliers until the problem was addressed.[61] In May 2024, South Korean authorities found that some of Shein products contained unsafe level of phthalates.[62]

Labor law violations

[edit]

In 2021, a Public Eye investigation reported that employees of six Shein suppliers in Guangzhou were working 75 hours per week in breach of Chinese labor laws.[63] Public Eye also discovered workshops with blocked corridors and stairways.[64]

Channel 4's documentary, Inside The Shein Machine, sent undercover cameras to film factory workers who were forced to pull 17-hour shifts to make hundreds of garments a day. In one factory, they made a daily base salary of $20, which would then be docked by $14 if any garments had mistakes.[65]

In 2024, Shein said it found two cases of child labour in its supply chain last year as it tightens scrutiny of the companies that make the clothes it sells.[66]

Shein said it has built an in-house team to monitor supply-chain partners and engages with independent agencies such as Intertek to conduct regular and unannounced audits.[67]

ISO certification claim

[edit]

In August 2021, Shein claimed on its website that its factories were certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and complied with standards set by "organizations like SA8000".[68] While the ISO sets standards, it does not directly certify any company. SA8000 is not an organisation but a standard administered by Social Accountability International, which said Shein had received no such certification. The claim was removed after Reuters inquired the company about it.[68]

Anti-modern slavery reporting

[edit]

The United Kingdom's 2015 Modern Slavery Act requires companies over a certain size to make statements about how they are combatting modern slavery. A similar law has been passed in Australia. Shein declined to disclose its revenue to Reuters in 2021 but said it was in the process of preparing such statements.[19]

In June 2023, Shein was included in a report by the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party titled "Fast Fashion and the Uyghur Genocide".[69]

French investigation

[edit]

In November 2023, the French Ministry of Economics and Finance initiated an investigation into Shein to assess its compliance with international guidelines and French laws after the Socialist Party accused the company of not respecting human rights, the environment, and consumer interest. Shein said it would cooperate with the investigation.[70]

Xinjiang cotton

[edit]

In November 2022, Bloomberg News reported that Shein's apparel was made with cotton sourced from Xinjiang amid the persecution of Uyghurs in China.[71] Following the report, a coalition of U.S. senators wrote to Shein to demand information about the potential use of forced labor in Xinjiang for cotton products.[72]

Legal experts have noted that Shein may be able to avoid the repercussions of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act because most Shein parcels shipped to the U.S. are worth less than $800 (de minimis shipments), which means that inspection by customs may be waived.[73]

In May 2023, a group of U.S. lawmakers called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to halt Shein's initial public offering until the company could verify that it does not use forced labor for its products.[74]

In August 2023, 16 U.S. states requested the Securities and Exchange Commission to audit Shein's supply chain for forced labor before its initial public offering.[75]

Intellectual property infringement

[edit]

Shein has been sued by indie creators and by companies such as Deckers Outdoor Corporation and Levi Strauss & Co. for copyright and trademark infringement. Most of these cases were settled out of court.[19][76]

In 2021, AirWair International Limited, who are known for the Dr. Martens boots, in a lawsuit accused Shein and its sister company, Romwe, of selling copies of their designs (and calling them "Martins") at a cheaper price while using photos of authentic Dr. Marten shoes to "entice customers," to which Shein responded with a blanket denial of AirWair International's claims.[76]

In March 2021, Ralph Lauren filed a trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit against Shein's parent company.[77] In the complaint, Ralph Lauren said that Zoetop Business Co. selling clothing with a "confusingly similar" mark was an exploitation of their "goodwill and reputation of genuine Ralph Lauren products."[77]

In 2022, Mexico's Secretariat of Culture questioned Shein's use of Mayan cultural elements in the design of one of its garments. The elements represented the "collective creativity" passed down through generations of Mayan people. Shein subsequently removed the item from its website.[78]

Design theft accusations

[edit]

Shein has been accused by dozens of artists, small fashion retailers, and brands such as Reclamare PH and Sincerely RIA, of copying their designs, including enamel pins.[79][80] There is "little protection for creators", however, because items with basic, useful functions are not broadly covered by copyright laws, and any unique or creative element must be separated out when making claims. According to a lawyer interviewed by NPR, fast-fashion brands can walk a fine line by copying "just enough" without affecting anything that is "legally protected".[81]

In 2018, Ilse Valfre, who owns the LA-based brand Valfré, was notified by her customers that Shein was selling "identical copies" to her products.[82] Quinn Jones, who is the co-founder of the US company Kikay, said that he found earring designs on Shein that were very similar to Kikay's earrings. In response to the controversy, Shein removed the products and pledged to drop the supplier that produced the copied item.[76]

To bring awareness to Shein's actions and to help support indie brands and artists, the hashtag "boycottShein" became popular on TikTok and Twitter in 2020.[82][81] In 2021, Mariama Diallo, founder of and designer for Sincerely Ria, accused Shein of stealing her designs in a Tweet that included comparative images to demonstrate her point.[83]

In July 2023, a civil lawsuit was filed against Shein in the US alleging that its aggressive copyright infringement amounts to racketeering under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The lawsuit, filed by three fashion designers, claims that Shein produced, distributed, and sold exact copies of their creative work without permission.[84] The lawsuit also alleges that Shein used artificial intelligence in the process, but what role it actually played is unclear.[85][86]

An industry analyst expresses that as long as the company still has room to grow, it would be motivated to keep expanding its product offering as quickly as it can and accept that some of the items would not conform to intellectual property norms.[76]

In January 2024, Japanese fashion giant Uniqlo said that it was suing Shein over copycats of a crossbody pouch. The lawsuit filed in Japan against Shein Japan and two subsidiaries "demands the immediate cessation of sales of the imitation products, and compensation for damages incurred", Uniqlo said in a statement.[87]

Data security concerns

[edit]

Shein experienced a data breach in 2018 that compromised the email addresses and encrypted passwords of 6.42 million users.[88] It was later revealed that the company had lied about the severity of the breach. The number of affected accounts was actually 39 million, credit card information was also compromised, and many users were not notified or required to reset their password afterwards. In 2022, Shein's parent company, Zoetop, was fined $1.9 million by New York state authorities for its inadequate response to the data breach.[89] In 2023, US accused Temu and Shein of data risks in latest action targeting Chinese-backed apps.[90] In December 2023, the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce requested more information from Shein on its data privacy practices and its relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.[91] In January 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Cyberspace Administration of China was scrutinizing Shein's data security practices.[92]

App prohibition in India

[edit]

In June 2020, the Shein app was banned in India due to privacy concerns.[93][94] Following the 2020–2021 China–India skirmishes, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India classified the Shein app along with 59 other Chinese apps under Section 69A in The Information Technology Act, 2000, saying "[u]pon receiving recent credible inputs that such apps pose threat to sovereignty and integrity of India, the Government of India has decided to disallow the usage [...] both [on] mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices." Section 69A grants the central government the "power to issue directions for blocking public access of any information through any computer resource".[95] However, it is still legal in India to purchase Shein products on other websites that are not covered under Section 69A.[95]

Criticism for offensive images

[edit]

In July 2020, a necklace with a swastika was reported and later removed from the site in response to widespread public criticism; the brand explained that it was a Buddhist religious symbol, not a Nazi swastika.[96]

In May 2021, Shein received criticism for offering a phone case with an image of a handcuffed Black man outlined in chalk. Shein issued an apology for the unintentional offensive image and for using it without the permission of its original designer, who had created the image after the killing of Michael Brown. He has asked Shein to donate the proceeds from the sales to Black Lives Matter.[97]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lu, Shen. "The World's Most Anonymous CEO Is About to Take Center Stage". WSJ. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  2. ^ "SHEIN". Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Testa, Jessica (1 September 2022). "The People's Republic of Shein". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  4. ^ "The Shady Labor Practices Underpinning Shein's Global Fashion Empire". Sixth Tone. 17 September 2021. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Nguyen, Terry (13 July 2021). "Shein is the future of fast fashion. Is that a good thing?". Vox. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Yang, Jing. "Fast-Fashion Juggernaut Shein's Sales Close In on Zara, H&M". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  7. ^ "How China Inc is tackling the TikTok problem". The Economist. 7 March 2023. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  8. ^ Scott, Miriam Gottfried and Charity L. (5 April 2022). "Shein Valued at $100 Billion in Funding Round". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "How Trump's Trade War Built Shein, China's First Global Fashion Giant". Bloomberg Businessweek. 14 June 2021. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  10. ^ "'No respect for industry': Charles & Ron suit copied on Shein, selling for €18". 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Michelle Toh (15 August 2021). "The secretive Chinese upstart 'making fast fashion look slow'". CNN. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b Davidson, Helen (30 July 2022). "Chris Xu: Who is Shein's mysterious billionaire founder?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Vara, Vauhini (4 May 2022). "Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control: Inside Shein's Sudden Rise". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  14. ^ a b Lin, Chen (16 February 2022). "Chinese fashion firm Shein on Singapore hiring spree as it shifts key assets there". Reuters. Archived from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Shein is trying to take on Amazon. Some say it should be cleaning up its act instead". CBC. 2023. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  16. ^ "How Shein beat Amazon at its own game — and reinvented fast fashion". Rest of World. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  17. ^ "China fast fashion giant Shein said to have filed for US IPO". The Straits Times. 30 June 2023. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  18. ^ Lau, Yvonne (31 May 2022). "Thought Zara was inexpensive? China's $100 billion startup Shein is undercutting the fast fashion industry with even cheaper clothes". Fortune. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  19. ^ a b c "Shein is Falling Short of Modern Slavery Reporting Rules, According to New Report". The Fashion Law. 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  20. ^ Repko, Melissa (24 August 2023). "Shein strikes deal with fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 that will expand reach of both brands". CNBC. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Shein says it was profitable in the first half of the year as U.S. IPO rumors swirl". CNBC. 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  22. ^ Mills, Wes (21 September 2022). "Fashion retailer SHEIN already expanding in Boone County". Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  23. ^ Rockeman, Olivia (1 November 2022). "Shein's US Expansion Adds Pressure for Its Fast-Fashion Competitors". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  24. ^ "Fashion retailer Shein opens Canadian office and a massive warehouse". dailyhive.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  25. ^ a b c "A Top Shein Exec on That Influencer Trip Fiasco". TIME. 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Shein confirms appointment of ex-SoftBank exec for LatAm push (Updated)". TechInAsia. 2023. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  27. ^ "China's cutthroat e-commerce tactic goes global as Shein-Temu war escalates". TechCrunch. 2023.
  28. ^ "Shein, Fast Fashion Hit With Gen Z, Tries Charm to Counter Scrutiny". The New York Times. 2 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Billionaire Claure Expands Shein's Fast-Fashion Empire in Brazil". Bloomberg. 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Shein sent American influencers to China. Social media users are furious". CNN. 2023. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  31. ^ Osawa, Juro; Oster, Shai (3 March 2023). "Shein Had Informal Talks With U.S. Tech Giants About Potential Investment". The Information. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  32. ^ "Shein Gets Temporary Restraining Order Against Rival Marketplace". Bloomberg Law. 2023.
  33. ^ "Shein, Temu Take Fast-Fashion Antitrust Battle to US Courts (1)". Bloomberg Law. 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  34. ^ Solomon, Daina Beth (22 June 2023). "Exclusive: Fast-fashion giant Shein plans new Mexico warehouse in Latin America push". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  35. ^ Jones, Callum (14 December 2023). "Online retailer Temu sues rival Shein, alleging 'mafia-style intimidation'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  36. ^ "Shein's potential IPO to be a 'badge of shame' for LSE, Amnesty International says". Reuters. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  37. ^ Butler, Sarah (9 June 2024). "Stop Shein listing on the FTSE, workers' rights campaigners urge". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  38. ^ Toh, Michelle (19 July 2023). "Analysis: Shein and Temu's battle for US bargain shoppers is getting nasty | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  39. ^ Field, Matthew (10 September 2023). "Shein sues Chinese rival in High Court copycat row". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  40. ^ a b Jones, Callum (14 December 2023). "Online retailer Temu sues rival Shein, alleging 'mafia-style intimidation'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  41. ^ "Shein, Temu gear up for 2026 UK trial over copyright and competition claims". Reuters. 5 November 2024.
  42. ^ Ducklin, Paul (10 March 2023). "SHEIN shopping app goes rogue, grabs price and URL data from your clipboard". Sophos News. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  43. ^ Xiao, Eva; Moss, Trefor (2 August 2021). "How Shein Became the Chinese Apparel Maker American Teens Love". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  44. ^ a b c d "How US-China trade war turbocharged shopping app Shein's growth". South China Morning Post. 16 June 2021. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  45. ^ "Analysis Shows 'Most Talked About' Brands Across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram". 19 April 2021. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Fast-fashion upstarts are using Shein's own strategies against it". The Straits Times. 7 November 2022. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  47. ^ Oprysko, Caitlin (11 October 2022). "Chinese fast fashion retailer lobbies up". Politico. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  48. ^ Chua, Jasmin Malik (23 October 2022). "Shein Brings in Power-Broker Big Guns". Sourcing Journal. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  49. ^ Bade, Gavin (4 June 2023). "Fast fashion giant with ties to China tries to shake forced labor claims". Politico. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  50. ^ "De Minimis Value Increases to $800". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  51. ^ Lawder, David (13 September 2024). "China's online retailers Shein, Temu in focus as US aims to plug trade "loophole"". Reuters. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  52. ^ "Por que varejistas criticam Shein, Shopee e AliExpress por 'contrabando digital' no Brasil". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  53. ^ UK Government. "VAT and overseas goods sold directly to customers in the UK". Gov.UK. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  54. ^ Chambers, Sam (23 April 2022). "How Chinese clothing giant Shein conquered the UK — and undercut rivals on tax". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  55. ^ If you think fast fashion is bad, check out SHEIN, 10 December 2021, archived from the original on 16 May 2022, retrieved 4 May 2022
  56. ^ Mahmood, Zainab (18 April 2022). "Ultra-fast fashion is taking over – and using every trick in the book to get us addicted". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  57. ^ "SHEIN: What You Need to Know About the Brand's Social and Environmental Impact". Make Fashion Better. 11 September 2022. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  58. ^ "What to Know About the Shein Lawsuit". Time. 16 July 2023. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  59. ^ Rajvanshi, Astha; Caldwell, Video by Jenna; Johnson, Andrew D. (17 January 2023). "Shein's Massive Popularity Comes at a Huge Cost to Us All". TIME. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  60. ^ Minter, Adam (3 November 2022). "Shein's Fast-Fashion Waste Problem Won't Be Fixed by Resale". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  61. ^ a b c Jenny Cowley, Stephanie Matteis, Charlsie Agr. "Experts warn of high levels of chemicals in clothes by some fast-fashion retailers". Archived from the original on 17 June 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  62. ^ "South Korea finds high levels of toxic chemicals in Shein products". The Straits Times. 28 May 2024. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  63. ^ "Shein suppliers' workers doing 75-hour week, finds probe". BBC News. 12 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  64. ^ Testa, Jessica (1 September 2022). "The People's Republic of Shein". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  65. ^ "Inside the Shein Machine: Untold". Channel 4. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  66. ^ "Fast fashion giant Shein finds child labour cases in supply chain". BBC News. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  67. ^ Zhai, Keith (12 December 2022). "Fast-Fashion Giant Shein Explores Becoming Online Marketplace". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  68. ^ a b Waldersee, Victoria (6 August 2021). "Chinese retailer Shein lacks disclosures, made false statements about factories". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  69. ^ Gallagher, Mike; Krishnamorthi, Raja (22 June 2023). "Fast Fashion and the Uyghur Genocide: Interim Findings" (PDF). Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  70. ^ Garel, Julia (16 November 2023). "French watchdog opens investigation into Shein". FashionUnited. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  71. ^ Prasso, Sheridan (21 November 2022). "Shein's Cotton Tied to Chinese Region Accused of Forced Labor". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  72. ^ Prasso, Sheridan; Poh, Olivia (9 February 2023). "Does Shein Use Banned Xinjiang Cotton? US Senators Want to Know". Bloomberg. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  73. ^ Lau, Yvonne; Barrett, Eamon (20 June 2022). "A Tax Loophole Shein Exploited to Become the U.S.'s Largest Fast Fashion Retailer Might Help It Skirt a New Ban on Forced Labor Too". Fortune. Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  74. ^ McLymore, Arriana (1 May 2023). "US lawmakers push SEC to order audit of Shein IPO over Uyghur forced labor fears". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  75. ^ McLymore, Arriana (29 August 2023). "US states ask SEC to check if Shein complies with forced labor rules". Reuters. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  76. ^ a b c d Lee, Dave (14 June 2021). "Chinese ecommerce site Shein hit with trademark disputes". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  77. ^ a b "From Dr Martens to Ralph Lauren, Lawsuits Are Starting to Build for $15 Billion Ultra-Fast Fashion Brand Shein". The Fashion Law. 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  78. ^ Diaz, Lizbeth (21 July 2022). "Mexico concerned by Chinese retailer Shein's use of a Mayan design". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  79. ^ Strumpf, Dan (3 July 2022). "China's Fast-Fashion Giant Shein Faces Dozens of Lawsuits Alleging Design Theft". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  80. ^ "'They took my world': fashion giant Shein accused of art theft". The Guardian. 6 March 2022. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  81. ^ a b Pruitt-Young, Sharon (20 July 2021). "Why Indie Brands Are At War With Shein And Other Fast-Fashion Companies". NPR. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  82. ^ a b "Chronicling SHEIN's Problematic History". www.34st.com. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  83. ^ Michie, Natalie (16 June 2021). "Shein Stolen Designs: Fast Fashion Retailer Accused of Copying...Again". FASHION Magazine. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  84. ^ "Shein.pdf", Krista Perry et al v. Shein Distribution Corporation et al (Court Filing), no. 2:23-cv-05551, Docket 23, C..D.. C.A.L..C.A., 11 July 2023
  85. ^ "China's Shein hit with lawsuit citing RICO violations, a law originally used against organized crime". ABC News. 14 July 2023. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  86. ^ Weber, Harri (14 July 2023). "Designers sue Shein over AI ripoffs of their work". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  87. ^ "Uniqlo sues Shein in Japan over sale of round shoulder bag". CNA. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  88. ^ "Over 6 Million Users Hit by Breach at Fashion Retailer SHEIN". www.securityweek.com. 25 September 2018. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  89. ^ "Shein owner Zoetop fined $1.9m over data breach response". BBC News. 14 October 2022. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  90. ^ "US accuses Shein, Temu of data risks in latest action targeting Chinese-backed apps". South China Morning Post. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  91. ^ Fonrouge, Gabrielle (20 December 2023). "Chair of powerful House committee pushes Shein about data protections, China relationship". CNBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  92. ^ "Fashion Giant Faces New IPO Hitch: China's Cybersecurity Police". The Wall Street Journal. 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  93. ^ Toh, Michelle (15 July 2021). "Amazon is helping a Chinese upstart make a comeback in India after its app was banned". CNN. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  94. ^ Mukherjee, Vasudha (19 May 2023). "Shein is coming back to India. Here's why it was banned in the past". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  95. ^ a b "Chinese 'Shein' app blocked but sale of products on other platforms not covered: MeitY to Delhi HC". The Hindu. PTI. 5 October 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  96. ^ "Popular online retailer Shein apologizes for selling swastika necklace after backlash". CBS News. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  97. ^ "Online Store Shein Apologized For Selling A Phone Case Depicting A Handcuffed Black Person Outlined In Chalk". BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
[edit]