French department store BHV and online fast-fashion retailer Shein have ended their partnership, seven months after the launch of a permanent Shein shop in Paris triggered controversy and widespread criticism.
The opening of Shein’s first permanent physical store inside BHV’s flagship location in November had already sparked backlash over its fast-fashion model, environmental concerns, and allegations linked to controversial products sold online.
Societe des Grands Magasins (SGM), which has operated the landmark BHV store opposite Paris City Hall since 2023, has sold it at a loss to a group of executives, including outgoing CEO Karl-Stéphane Cottendin, according to both parties.
Cottendin, who will step down following the deal, said Shein would “ideally” leave the store by Christmas and described the decision to bring the retailer in as a “strategic error.”
The partnership had already triggered protests, brand boycotts, and regulatory scrutiny, with around 100 brands leaving the department store due to the collaboration or related disputes over payments and operations.
Shein said the deal with SGM was always intended to be temporary and that it respects the decision, while expressing regret over disruption caused by ongoing construction works in the store.
Customers who queued for the opening reportedly expressed disappointment, saying prices inside the store were significantly higher than on Shein’s online platform, known for ultra-low-cost items such as $5 dresses and $10 jeans.
SGM had already been under financial pressure before the partnership, including delays in payments to suppliers, and the Shein launch further accelerated brand departures from the department store in protest.
Founded in China and now based in Singapore, Shein has faced repeated international criticism over labour practices, environmental concerns, and product compliance issues, along with more than €22 million in fines from French authorities for traceability and labelling violations.
The company also came under renewed scrutiny in November after French authorities condemned listings of childlike sex dolls on its platform, which were later removed and banned globally.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a rare public rebuke of Israel's military tactics in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah militants, saying it wa...
Lionel Messi matched the all-time World Cup scoring record as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria. Austria, France and Nor...
French department store BHV and online fast-fashion retailer Shein have ended their partnership, seven months after the launch of a permanent Shein sh...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 17 June, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, a son of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro living in the U.S., of courting in...
Chinese E-commerce giant Shein faces another set back as French Ministry of Finance initiates a procedure to suspend its platform in France until it can demonstrate compliance with the country's laws.
Shein is opening its first permanent physical stores in France, starting in Paris and expanding to five more cities. The fast-fashion giant aims to test brick-and-mortar retail in one of the world’s most influential fashion markets.
The European Union is cracking down on Chinese platforms Shein and Temu over safety breaches.
Fast fashion retailer Shein has been fined €40 million ($47.17 million) by France’s antitrust watchdog for allegedly having misleading discounts and unclear environmental claims, despite the company’s claim that the issues were fixed a year ago.
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
Ukraine has said it struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Moscow region, marking one of the deepest reported attacks into Russian territory in recent months.
China’s retail sales fell for the first time in more than three years in May, while urban investment contracted more than expected, signaling further weakness in the world’s second-largest economy.
Macao opened the 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum on Thursday, with officials and industry leaders highlighting the role of green and digital technologies in strengthening global infrastructure connectivity.
At the start of 2026, something unusual happened in China's car market. BYD, the company that had spent years at the top of the domestic sales charts, was knocked off its perch by a rival.
Apple has unveiled a long-awaited upgrade to Siri, aiming to close the gap with technology rivals and emerging artificial intelligence firms in an increasingly competitive market.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI has confidentially filed for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO), the company said on Monday, joining rival Anthropic in a race to the stock market as investors seek exposure to the artificial intelligence boom.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment