Companies

Shein to open first store in France amid public backlash

Oct 7, 2025 France

The online fast-fashion retailer is set to open its first physical store at the BHV Marais department store in Paris in November, with further openings planned in other cities. However, this decision has prompted a public backlash

Shein has announced plans to open its first permanent brick-and-mortar store in France, beginning with a space in the BHV Marais department store in Paris. The store is set to open in November, with a further five due to follow in Galeries Lafayette in Dijon, Reims, Grenoble, Angers and Limoges.

This move follows an agreement with Société des Grands Magasins, a commercial real estate company that owns and operates the BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette department stores. Until now, the online retailer has only hosted temporary, marketing-driven pop-ups around the world.

In a joint statement, the companies said: “Together, SGM and Shein aim to attract a younger, more connected clientele, while preserving the historic DNA of department stores”. They added that the move would create 200 direct and indirect jobs in France.

However, Galeries Lafayette, which sold the stores operated by SGM under its name through a franchise agreement, said it was not in accordance with the franchise agreement and plans to stop the move from occurring.

“Galeries Lafayette profoundly disagrees with this decision with regards to the positioning and practices of this ultra-fast fashion brand that is in contradiction with its offer and values,” the group said.

Yann Rivoallan, head of fashion retail association Fédération Francaise du Pret-a-Porter, stated: “In front of the Paris City Hall, they are creating the new Shein megastore, which – after destroying dozens of French brands – aims to flood our market even more massively with disposable products”.

Founded in 2008, the Singapore-based retailer has been criticised for its production of fast fashion goods. Although its business model of quickly producing inexpensive clothes based on the latest styles has made it successful, it has also been criticised for its environmental impact.

In any case, setting up physical stores represents a significant departure from the existing model. It will require the company to maintain inventory in stores, thereby adding to its running costs. This comes as Shein adapts to changes in its biggest market, the US, where the ‘de minimis’ duty exemption for low-value parcels is coming to an end. The European Union is planning to do the same.

Sources: reuters.com and bloomberg.com

Image Credits: sg.news.yahoo.com

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