France moves to suspend Shein website as it opens first store in Paris

France moves to suspend Shein website as it opens first store in Paris

60 minutes ago Share Save Osmond Chia, Business reporter and Paul Kirby, Europe digital editor Share Save

DIMITAR DILKOFF/POOL/AFP While the BHV department store celebrated the opening of Shein, there were protests outside

The French government says it is initiating proceedings to suspend the online platform of Asian online giant Shein, after prosecutors said they were investigating the company over childlike sex dolls found on its website. The economy ministry said under the prime minister's order proceedings would last for "as long as necessary for the platform to prove to authorities that all of its content is finally in compliance with our laws and regulations". The government's move was announced little more than an hour after Shein opened its first physical store in the world, on the sixth floor of Paris department store BHV. Shoppers queued to get into the store, while protesters screamed "Shame!" at them.

Shein has promised to co-operate fully with Paris prosecutors who are also investigating three other platforms - Temu, AliExpress and Wish. Allegations surrounding the sale of childlike sex dolls on Shein first came to light from France's anti-fraud office at the weekend. BHV's decision to house the fast-fashion giant has angered rival clothing brands and a number have said they will leave the prestigious department store in protest. Protests against the opening continued inside the store, and one person let off a foul-smelling spray.

NurPhoto via Getty Images Protesters held up placards outside the BHV store and shouted "Shame!" at shoppers

Shein has become best known for its discounted and trendy clothes, but has drawn criticism over its environmental impact and working conditions. Fashion designer Agnès B said earlier she would close her concession in BHV when her contract ended in January. "I'm completely against this fast-fashion... there are jobs under threat, it's very bad," she told French radio. Shein spokesman Quentin Ruffat earlier promised to provide information on sellers, buyers and products involved in selling the childlike sex dolls on its site. AliExpress told the BBC it took the matter very seriously. Temu said it was not involved in the case and did not allow the sale of such items on its platform, although it told the BBC it was working with French authorities "to reinforce our minor protection mechanism". Wish has also been contacted for comment. Frédéric Merlin, whose SGM company runs BHV, has admitted that he considered ending the department store's partnership with the retailer. However, he said Shein's response had "convinced me to continue" and he expressed confidence in the products it was going to sell in his store. "The clothes we're going to sell do not exploit workers or children," he told French radio.