SHEIN Statistics - The Brand's Place, Reach & Controversies (2024)

As one of the world’s largest fashion e-commerce retailers, SHEIN statistics and announcements are all over news. The company might be taking the world by storm, but its path hasn’t been without a number of controversies.

Formerly known as ZZKKO, SHEIN was founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Chris Xu as a wedding dress e-commerce company. In the 2010s, it began to sell its womenswear in different international markets and it’s currently active in over 25 countries. At the end of 2023, the retailer’s mobile app surpassed 250 million downloads.

It’s clear that SHEIN is gaining momentum and popularity, and is therefore worth paying attention to. In this guide, we’ll go over the statistics on SHEIN usage and downloads, its performance in different markets, its associated controversies and the possible future of the retailer. Let’s not waste any time!

In This Guide

SHEIN Statistics - The Brand's Place, Reach & Controversies (2024)

FAQs

What is the controversy behind Shein? ›

Artists have filed a racketeering lawsuit accusing it of stealing designs. A congressional report says Shein abuses a loophole in import tax laws. Lawmakers have called for an investigation into alleged use of forced labor.

What is the brand positioning of Shein? ›

Affordability: Shein positions itself as an affordable fashion destination, targeting budget-conscious consumers and younger demographics. Its pricing strategy aims to offer trendy items at accessible price points.

What is the brand perception of Shein? ›

Among fashion online shoppers in the United States, 73 percent are familiar with SHEIN, and almost every third expresses a liking for the Chinese brand established in 2008. Usage share and loyalty metrics for SHEIN stand at around one-fifth of fashion online shoppers in the U.S.

What are the criticisms of Shein? ›

In October 2022, Chinese fast-fashion conglomerate Shein once again found itself facing allegations of unethical business practices, just another on their long laundry list of wrongdoings that include copying small businesses, allegations of modern slavery and violating labour laws.

Why does Shein have a bad reputation? ›

Why do people say Shein is unethical? People say Shein is unethical due to concerns about its environmental impact, labor practices, and alleged design theft. The brand's heavy use of harmful materials, rapid production, and lack of transparency raise ethical issues.

Why do so many people not like Shein? ›

Shein has been criticized for its lack of transparency regarding its manufacturing processes. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if workers are being treated fairly or if sustainable practices are being used.

Who is the largest consumer of SHEIN? ›

The biggest segment of SHEIN's audience is women aged 25-34. SHEIN was the fifth-highest-earning e-commerce store in 2022, as it made $26.15 billion in total worldwide that year.

Is SHEIN high or low quality? ›

Real customer reviews of Shein clothes show that the fast fashion brand's products are inconsistent in quality.

Why does SHEIN look so cheap? ›

Unrealistically Low Prices: Shein offers extremely low prices by cutting down on workers' wages and using cheap and low-quality materials. This creates a perception that clothes have little value and encourages overconsumption. The low prices also imply that clothes are disposable and not made to last.

Why are people boycotting Shein? ›

Shein, a global fast-fashion giant based in China, faces a boycott campaign amid allegations of Uyghur forced labor.

What is the weakness of Shein? ›

Unavailability of warehouses: The SHEIN supply chain lacking a warehouse can be a severe weakness for the organization.

Who is Shein owned by? ›

Shein is owned by parent company Nanjing Lingtian Information Technology, although the company's ownership is frequently branded a mystery. It remains a private company, with four major shareholders so far: JAFCO Asia, IDG Capital, Sequoia Capital China, and Tiger Global Management.

What is the concern with Shein clothing? ›

'We cannot stand idly by while citizens' health is at risk. ' Children's products sold by fast fashion behemoth Shein have been found to contain toxic substances hundreds of times above acceptable levels, researchers say.

Why did Shein get banned? ›

At the same time, Shein and Temu have been accused by American lawmakers of failing to ensure their supply chains comply with the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) passed last June to penalize Beijing's systematic rights abuses against the Muslim minority group in the western Xinjiang region.

What did Shein do to be Cancelled? ›

Recent reports allege that Shein's extremely cheap prices are made possible by forced labor, human rights violations, stealing other designers' work and the peddling of clothing made with potentially hazardous materials.

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