French politicians are intensifying their fight with Chinese online fashion retailer SHEIN, threatening to ban the sale of child-like sex dolls on the company’s website, according to a news report from the Reuters news agency. The threat comes against the background of the company’s intention to open its first permanent store in Paris.
France’s consumer authority found child-like sex dolls on Shine’s website, leading the finance minister to block Shine’s access to the French market if it continued to sell such dolls again. Shane said that she imposed sanctions on the sellers and banned the sale of the sex dolls. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday that it is investigating online retail platforms Shine, Temo, AliExpress and Wish for the alleged distribution of content including child pornography in their markets.
Shine, one of the world’s biggest fast-fashion retailers, has recently sparked outrage among French politicians and retailers over its low-cost business model, and its plans to open the BHV department store in Paris on Wednesday. More stores are expected to open later in the Galerie Lafayette department stores.
French lawmakers say Shine’s rapid growth stems from an anti-competitive advantage: duty-free e-commerce packages of low value, allowing it to sell at low prices, while French fashion chains such as Jennifer and Naf Naf have gone bankrupt. “Shane affects the vitality of our regions, destroys jobs and destroys shops,” Louvagi told Reuters.
Shane claims its business model is “on demand,” where factories produce small quantities and ramp up production if a product sells well. According to the company, the model is more efficient, and can help French brands and retailers reach more customers through its website.
France is working on a law according to which Shine may be banned from advertising in France and face fines for any item she sells. The law, approved by the French Senate in June, has been amended by lawmakers to bring it in line with EU law and could be implemented early next year.
France even urged the European Union to cancel the exemption from customs duties on e-commerce packages under 150 euros, in light of the fear that cheap Chinese products will enter the market and it will not be possible to properly check their compliance with European standards.