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

PARIS - France started proceedings on Nov 5 to suspend online fast-fashion retailer Shein after child-like sex dolls and weapons were found being sold on its site, marring the opening of the Chinese company’s first shop in a Paris department store.

The

discovery of the dolls

on Shein’s website by France’s consumer watchdog on Nov 1 fuelled an outcry and heightened the pressure on Shein, already under fire over its store.

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

Shein said it sanctioned the sellers of the dolls, implemented 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.

‘Enough is enough’ says minister

Lawmaker Antoine Vermorel-Marques had earlier on Nov 5 pointed out listings on Shein’s site for weapons including brass knuckles, which are banned in France, and an axe.

“Enough is enough with the pedopornographic dolls, and now the weapons,” Commerce and Small Business Minister Serge Papin told Parliament on Nov 5 before ordering the suspension of the platform.

Shein’s website sells both its own-brand clothes, for which it is best-known, and a vast array of products from third-party sellers on its marketplace.

The finance ministry said it would suspend Shein’s entire website in France, not just the marketplace, if banned products continue to be found for sale.

Digital Minister Anne le Henanff asked the European Commission to start an investigation into Shein’s practices, the finance ministry said.

The European Commission contacted Shein on Nov 5 about this matter, a spokesperson said, but has not opened a formal investigation.

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

The government said it would do an “initial review” of its findings on Shein within 48 hours.

Lawmakers also summoned Shein to a hearing in Parliament on Nov 18 at 6pm, and the company accepted, Mr Vermorel-Marques said.

Shein has caused controversy in France

Shein’s shop on the sixth floor of the 19th-century BHV department store has

caused uproar among politicians

, including Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, and retailers who say its business model has an unfair advantage and has eroded French high streets.

A crowd of protesters

shouted “Shame on you!” at dozens of shoppers queuing for hours outside BHV, from across the street where they were held back by barriers as riot police looked on.

“That (suspension of Shein) would be a blow for a lot of people, I think, financially, and actually because it’s so vast, they have so much choice on the platform,” said Mr Benoit Guillem, a chef, as he browsed in the Shein store.

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

To others, Shein’s image is tainted by the sex dolls.

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

The Paris prosecutor is investigating Shein and AliExpress over the alleged dissemination of images or representations of minors of a pornographic nature, which can lead to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (S$112,624).

Mr Arnaud Gallais, cofounder of Mouv’Enfants, which fights violence against children, was among demonstrators that gathered before the store opening.

“We are here with our little signs as a reminder that behind these sexual dolls there are potentially predators and pedophile criminals,” he said.

Shein was approached to set up a concession by Societe des Grands Magasins (SGM), which is hoping the launch will attract a younger clientele to the struggling BHV, and to five more department stores it owns in regional cities, where Shein shops are set to open in the coming weeks.

After Shein suspended its marketplace in France, SGM chairman Frederic Merlin said: “I salute this decision... I hope that finally we will be able to stop the sale of illicit products on these platforms.”

He said he was confident of the quality of the products sold in the Shein store, “but that’s unfortunately not the case for the sellers on their marketplace”. REUTERS