France – Judicial Court on Suspension of Shein Marketplace

On November 5, 2025, the fast-fashion platform Shein opened its first retail store in the world, in the center of the European fashion industry, in Paris. However, the grand opening and the enthusiasm that naturally came along lasted for just one and a half hours. 

The store was closed after an official statement that the French Government, on the instructions received by the Prime Minister, is launching legal proceedings led by the Paris prosecutors’ office against Shein for selling child pornography, category A weapons, and other products that aren’t compliant with French laws. 

Only two days later, on November 7, the official Government spokesperson shared that they had noticed the platform operator had acted swiftly to remove illicit products from its offerings; however, legal proceedings to suspend the platform’s domain in France are moving forward. 

On November 26, 2025, the Paris Court of Justice will examine a request to suspend Shein’s marketplace in France. The fast-fashion giant, as well as many other Chinese-led e-commerce marketplaces, are being “considered” as a thorn in the fashion industry. Many retail and consumer-led associations will applaud the decision to suspend the platform’s domain. On the other hand, Shein’s plan to move from the strictly online channels to retail stores is moving forward. After opening its first French store in Paris, the firm scheduled other openings in different French cities. Will this strong force of expansion, not only within the ranks of online shoppers but also among retail shoppers, become a reality? Or will the French judicial system block this intent on the proven legal merits?

In the near future, we will provide greater transparency in this regard. The first response from the French authorities is likely to come by the end of November.