The French government has started legal proceedings. They aim to suspend the online operations of fashion retailer Shein. This action follows reports that childlike sex dolls were found being sold through its platform.
France’s Economy Ministry announced the move. It was shortly after the company opened its first-ever physical store inside BHV Marais. This is a major department store in central Paris. Officials said the suspension will remain in place. The platform must prove full compliance with French law and online safety standards.
Protests at Paris Store Opening
Shoppers lined up for the store’s grand opening. Meanwhile, demonstrators gathered outside waving placards reading “Protect children, not Shein”. They shouted “Shame!” at those entering the store.
Inside, protests continued, with one demonstrator reportedly setting off a foul-smelling spray to disrupt the event.
The controversy has already sparked a backlash within the fashion industry. Designer Agnès B announced she would withdraw her brand from BHV. She called the partnership “a symbol of everything wrong with fast fashion.”
“This type of mass production puts jobs at risk and damages both people and the planet,” she told French radio.
Government and Legal Action
The case came to light after an investigation by the country’s anti-fraud office. French authorities said this investigation discovered listings for childlike sex dolls on Shein’s marketplace.
Prosecutors have also opened inquiries into three other online retailers – Temu, AliExpress, and Wish -over similar allegations.
According to officials, the probes focus on “violent, pornographic, or undignified content accessible to minors.” The investigations are now managed by the Paris Office for the Protection of Minors. This office is part of the national police service.
In response, Shein stated that it had already suspended all third-party vendor listings involved in the scandal. It tightened its rules for marketplace sellers.
“This suspension allows us to strengthen our accountability. It ensures every product meets legal and ethical standards,” said Quentin Ruffat, Shein’s head of public affairs in France.
Shein’s Reaction and Global Measures
The company said it is fully cooperating with French prosecutors. It has now banned the sale of all sex dolls globally. The company is pledging to permanently block any seller accounts associated with the illegal content.
AliExpress said it had immediately removed similar listings once notified, emphasizing that such products “violate our platform’s policies.”
Temu and Wish both mentioned they were reviewing their internal monitoring systems. Temu stated it was “working closely with French authorities to strengthen protections for minors.”
BHV and Galeries Lafayette Respond
The controversy has caused unease among France’s high-end retailers.
Frédéric Merlin, whose SGM group operates BHV, said he initially considered terminating the deal with Shein. He decided to continue after the company promised stronger compliance measures.
“I’m confident the products sold in our store will meet ethical and legal standards,” Merlin said.
However, Galeries Lafayette, another major department store chain under the same group, took a step away from the brand. They announced they will remove their name from upcoming Shein outlets. These outlets are planned in Angers, Dijon, Grenoble, Le Mans, Limoges, Orléans, and Reims.
Ongoing Investigation
Prosecutors said Shein and other e-commerce platforms are under investigation. The laws involved relate to the distribution of pornographic material involving minors.
The French consumer watchdog described the offending product descriptions as leaving “little doubt about their illegal and exploitative nature.”
Shein, founded in China and now headquartered in Singapore, is best known for its low-cost, trend-driven clothing. The retailer, however, has faced repeated criticism over labor conditions, environmental practices, and the ethics of its supply chain.
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