After the controversial association with Pimkie, it is an announcement that probably triggers the anger of the sector ready to use. In a press release published on Wednesday, Shein announced open for the first time in November a physical store on the sixth floor of the BHV in Paris, emblematic store located in the 4th district of the capital.
And that’s not all: Shein plans to open a store in five Lafayette galleries in Dijon, Grenoble, Reims, Limoges and Angers. The Chinese giant has combined with this with the company of the department stores (SGM), a commercial property that has and operates in particular the BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette stores.
But in the process, we learn that Lafayette galleries “reject the installation” of Shein in franchisee stores in the provinces.
If you choose France, it is because Hexagon is his first market in Europe: “It is not a temporary experience or an emerging store. It is a long -term commitment. We plant our roots in Paris and everywhere in France, with the intention of growing next to the communities we serve,” explains Donald Tang in Le Figaro.
“A commitment to revitalize municipal centers”
Regularly accused of unfair competition when flooding the discount products market sold online, Shein says that the opening of his first physical stores is “a commitment to revitalize the centers of the city.” “Our integrated stores will attract a young clientele that will benefit for the BHV and the Lafayette galleries affiliated with the region. This will benefit other brands present in these department stores and surrounding merchants. It is a complete ecosystem that will be valued and this will create jobs,” said Donald Tang.
This initiative can cry from the sector ready to use that it had already moved from the association established a few days ago between Shein and Pimkie, the women’s brand announced that its products would be available on the Chinese giant platform. She had been excluded from the Trade Alliance.
With Figaro, Donald Tang says “I don’t understand” this opposition. “No one knew how to explain why it was bad for their business. Our association with Pimkie, and with other French brands, is based on respect, collaboration and provision of dedicated services,” he continues. And to say that Shein has been “contacted by numerous brands of French ways” from the announcement of this alliance.
Source: BFM TV
