Employees at the BHV department store in Paris staged a demonstration on Friday to voice their disapproval of the recent decision by the store’s management to collaborate with fast-fashion retailer, Shein. The protest was triggered by the agreement to allocate a permanent spot to Shein on the store’s seventh floor.
The proprietor of BHV, Société des Grands Magasins (SGM), has been the subject of significant backlash in France in the wake of this partnership’s announcement with Shein. This comes as a reaction to Shein’s business model which involves shipping inexpensive garments directly from Chinese manufacturers to customers in over 160 countries worldwide.
On the day of the protest, dozens of employees congregated outside the department store at 3:30 pm local time, brandishing labour union flags. Union representatives and local government officials addressed the crowd with speeches.
Concerns about Job Security and Business Practices
BHV has encountered fiscal challenges for some time now, leading to delayed payments to brands and subsequent product shortages. These issues have impacted sales and stirred anxiety among employees about job security, as expressed in a statement by the union.
The employee union also expressed concern about the withdrawal of several French brands from BHV following the announcement of the collaboration with Shein. Florine Biais, a BHV employee and union representative, explained that customers have started turning away due to unavailability of desired products and concern over Shein’s introduction.
SGM, when questioned about the payment delays, attributed the issue to the transition to new payment systems following its acquisition of BHV in November 2023. They assured that the problem is temporary and would be resolved in a few weeks.
SGM’s Perspective and Shein’s Ambitions
SGM has been optimistic about the partnership with Shein, anticipating it to draw in a younger demographic and contribute to BHV’s modernization efforts. They expressed their conviction that the partnership would be beneficial for both the company and its employees.
Shein’s spokesperson, Quentin Ruffat, echoed these sentiments, arguing that the proposed store would enhance BHV’s footfall and in turn, benefit other retailers.
Shein, a Chinese company established in 2012, has seen exponential growth, becoming the world’s largest fast-fashion retailer. However, it has also received criticism for its factory working conditions, high carbon emissions, and lack of transparency regarding its management and finances.
Following fines totalling 191 million euros from French and Italian regulators since July, Shein is now focused on strengthening its internal controls to adhere to regulations more strictly and enhance its consumer reputation.
Questions & Answers
Why are BHV employees protesting against the Shein collaboration?
The employees, backed by their union, are concerned about job security due to poor sales and late payments to brands. They also fear the exit of French brands following the Shein collaboration.
What is SGM’s response to the protest?
SGM acknowledged the payment delay issues but attributed them to the transition to a new payment system. They assured that the problem is temporary and that the collaboration with Shein would be advantageous for the company and employees.
What are some criticisms Shein has faced?
Shein has been criticized for poor working conditions in its factories, high carbon emissions, and a lack of transparency about its management and finances.
