France moves to suspend Shein over sex dolls & weapons on day Paris store opens

Paris: France launched proceedings on Wednesday to suspend online fast fashion retailer Shein after childish sex toys and weapons were sold on its site, marring the opening of the Chinese company’s first store in a Paris department store.

The discovery of the dolls on Shein’s website by France’s consumer watchdog on Saturday sparked outrage and increased pressure on Shein, which was already under fire for its store.

“On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the government is initiating proceedings to suspend Shein for as long as necessary for the platform to demonstrate to the authorities that all its content finally complies with our laws and regulations,” the finance ministry said in a statement. he said.

Shein said it had sanctioned doll sellers, imposed a worldwide ban on sex dolls on its site, and independently decided to temporarily suspend its marketplace in France to “review and strengthen” how third-party sellers operate on the site.

Minister said ‘Enough is enough’

Member of Parliament Antoine Vermorel-Marques pointed out earlier on Wednesday that Shein’s site listed weapons such as brass knuckles and axes that are banned in France.

“Enough with paedopornographic dolls and now guns,” Trade and Small Business Minister Serge Papin told parliament on Wednesday before ordering the suspension of the platform.

Shein’s website sells both its most well-known own-brand clothing as well as a wide selection of products from third-party sellers on its marketplace.

The finance ministry said it would suspend not only Shein’s marketplace but also its entire website in France if banned products were offered for sale.

Digital Minister Anne le Henanff also asked the European Commission to launch an investigation into Shein’s practices, the finance ministry said. The EU executive is already investigating Shein for unsafe and dangerous products.

France has experience cracking down on online platforms; The US e-commerce marketplace suspended Wish in 2021 after its consumer watchdog found dangerous products on the site, only allowing it again a year and a half later.

The government said it would conduct an ‘initial review’ of its findings about Shein within 48 hours.

Shein Store Controversy

The store, on the sixth floor of the 19th-century BHV department store, caused an uproar with politicians, including Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, and retailers who said Shein’s business model had an unfair advantage and was eroding French high streets.

Protesters carrying “Shame on Shein” banners had gathered outside BHV before the opening, and riot police watched as dozens of customers poured into the store after queuing for hours.

“I think this (Shein’s suspension) is going to be a financial hit for a lot of people, and actually because it’s so broad, they have so many options on the platform,” chef Benoit Guillem said while touring the Shein store.

“So that’s what’s convenient, they’re pretty fast even in terms of delivery.”

‘Predators and Criminals’

For others, Shein’s image is being tarnished by sex dolls.

Outside the store, artist Leslie Green told Reuters: “I was just passing by but I’m already aware that they sell a little doll that looks like a little girl that promotes pedophilia, so I’m very disgusted by that.”

The Paris prosecutor is investigating Shein and AliExpress over the alleged dissemination of pornographic images or representations of minors; this could lead to a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 75,000 euros.

Among the demonstrators gathered before the store opening was Arnaud Gallais, co-founder of Mouv’Enfants, which fights violence against children.

“We are here with our little signs to remind you that potential predators and pedophile criminals are behind these sex dolls,” he said.

SGM Sees a Chance to Bring Shoppers Back to Stores

Shein was approached by the Société des Grands Magasins (SGM) to arrange a concession, hoping the launch would attract a younger customer to the struggling BHV.

Following Shein’s announcement that it was suspending its marketplace in France, SGM President Frédéric Merlin said: “I salute this decision… I hope we can finally stop the sale of illegal products on these platforms.”

Shein said he is confident in the quality of the products sold in his store, but “unfortunately, this is not the case for sellers on marketplaces.”