Twelve trade and industry federations unite in legal action against Shein for “unfair competition”

These federations denounce the Chinese giant’s non-compliance with the regulations to which they are subject by being established in France.

Twelve federations of French commerce and industry “unite for legal action against Shein“, to denounce a “unfair competition“, they write in a press release sent Wednesday November 19 to franceinfo. “French commerce stands up against Shein“, justify these organizations supported by “around a hundred brands in the sector“.

For several years, “French trade representatives note unfair competition from non-European online platforms, such as Shein or Temu, whose model is based on non-compliance with regulations applicable to all players established in France“, they denounce. These”massive practices endanger consumer safety, weaken our businesses, destroy jobs, and threaten the vitality of territories“, they continue in the press release. This legal action on the part of the trade federations in France aims to “seek compensation for the harm they have suffered“.

The entire industry wants “recall an essential principle: freedom of trade only makes sense if it is exercised in compliance with the rules applicable to all“.”Shein has been condemned on several occasions by French and European public authorities for deceptive commercial practices, breaches of compliance and product safety obligations.“, or even for “violation of regulations on the protection of personal data“, recall the trade federations, specifying that these offenses”have already led to fines amounting to 190 million euros“.

Even more recently, the discovery of child pornography or even weapons for sale over the counter on the platform “revealed the seriousness and scale” of Shein’s shortcomings, details the press release. Thanks to “these massive and repeated breaches, Shein was able to illegitimately reduce its costs, increase its profits and gain market share to the detriment of economic players established in France who respect the rules and consumer safety“, argue the 12 trade federations.

By this legal action, “professional federations and companies affirm their determination to re-establish fair competition based on respect for the law, transparency and responsibility. They also demand recognition of the economic damage suffered by actors established in France and the granting of damages proportionate to these losses.. In this procedure, “the pre-trial hearing, which will set the timetable and discussions between the parties, will be held on January 12, 2026 before the Aix-en-Provence commercial court“.

The 12 signatory federations:

• The Commerce Alliance brings together department stores, popular stores and clothing and footwear brands
• BOCI – Fashion Jewelry, Precious Metals Jewelry, Goldsmithing and Industries Applied to Artistic Crafts
• CDCF – French Commerce Council
• FCD – Federation of Commerce and Distribution which brings together most major retail brands
• FCJPE – Federation of Trade Specialists in Toys and Children’s Products
• FEVAD – Federation of e-commerce and distance selling
• FFF – French Franchise Federation
• FFPAPF – French Federation of Women’s Ready-to-Wear
• The Federation of Knitwear, Lingerie & Beachwear
• UBH – Union of Watch Jewelry
• UFIMH – The French Union of Fashion and Clothing Industries
• OUT – Union of Textile Industries