In November 2025, the French retail industry launched a "Normandy Landing" against fast fashion giant Shein.

Twelve industry associations, together with hundreds of local brands such as Promod and Monoprix, filed a collective lawsuit with the Aix-en-Provence commercial court, accusing Shein of systematically engaging in unfair competition and disrupting the French market.

This legal action, described as "unprecedented" by Bernard Cherqui, president of the French Business Alliance, could see claims reaching billions of euros, with the hearing scheduled for January 12, 2026.

 

Image source:BFMTV

Allegations:Shein accused of years of illegal operations

The plaintiffs detailed multiple violations by Shein at a press conference.

Bernard Cherqui, president of the French Business Alliance, pointed out: "Two million Shein products enter France every day, a figure that has quadrupled in three years. For years, our federation has observed blatant illegal activities."

These allegations include:

Misleading advertising:Shein is accused of using misleading promotional and discount information, creating the illusion for consumers of "getting a bargain."

Product non-compliance: In a recent customs operation, 200,000 Shein parcels were inspected, and 80% were found to have compliance issues.

Data protection violations: Even when consumers explicitly refuse cookies, the Shein website still tracks user data, a practice that has already been penalized by the French data protection authority CNIL.

False environmental claims: Investigations also found that Shein "could not substantiate the environmental claims published on its website," and its statements about reducing greenhouse gas emissions were misleading.

 

Allegations against Shein Image source: francebleu

Legislative Response: France Tightens Fast Fashion Regulation

This legal action is not an isolated incident; it coincides with the French government's recent tightening of regulation on ultra-fast fashion platforms.

On the same day the lawsuit was announced, the French National Assembly passed a bill to impose a €2 tax on non-EU parcels valued under €150.

This tax is intended to fund inspection mechanisms for these products, and is expected to raise €500 million annually for purchasing scanners and hiring customs officers.

Earlier, in June 2025, the French Senate overwhelmingly passed the "Fast Fashion Regulation Act" by 337 votes to just 1 against, making France the first country in the world to legislate restrictions on the fast fashion industry.

The act introduces an ecological rating system, imposing a €5 eco-tax on each fast fashion item from 2025, rising to €10 by 2030.

 

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Industry Impact: The Survival Battle of Traditional Retail

The French retail industry sees this lawsuit as a battle to defend the local commercial ecosystem.

FEVAD president Marc Lolivier pointed out that the traffic on the Shein website is equivalent to the combined traffic of Carrefour, Fnac, and Cdiscount, with over 5 million daily visits.

"But for us, the issue has never been the growth of a single player. The problem is when that growth is based on unfair practices."

Pierre Talamon, president of the French National Clothing Federation (FNH), said: "This measure is crucial to begin restoring basic fairness between French retailers and ultra-fast fashion giants."

He further emphasized, "This is about economic survival, commercial justice, and protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs in our stores, workshops, and city centers."

 

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Controversy and Response

Facing the accusations, Shein strongly denied any wrongdoing, criticizing the plaintiffs for "choosing confrontation over dialogue," and calling the move a "disguised boycott."

But under the regulatory iron curtain, its expansion plans in France have been severely hit—the planned new stores have been postponed indefinitely.

The essence of this lawsuit is a watershed moment for global supply chain compliance.

As the French Business Alliance declared:"The era of laissez-faire is over."

When the Paris court strikes its gavel in 2026, the ruling may mark the end of the "wild growth" era for cross-border e-commerce—

Either localize, or exit.