SHEIN, the online fashion retailer from China, has gained popularity for its incredibly low prices and its ability to stay on top of the latest fashion trends. With a valuation of $66 billion, it has surpassed Zara and H&M as the largest online fashion retailer in the world. But with such cheap prices and no physical stores, is Shein a legitimate website?

What is Shein?

Shein is an online-only fast-fashion retailer based in China. It has become a go-to shopping destination for many around the world due to its incredibly low prices, with most clothes priced under £10. The company is known for following "micro trends," short-lived fashion styles that don't tend to come back in circulation. With its massive presence on social media and digital marketing, Shein now ships to over 220 countries worldwide.

When was Shein created?

Shein was founded in late 2008 by a mysterious billionaire entrepreneur and marketing specialist named Xu Yangtian, also known as Chris Xu. Despite the lack of information about the founder, Shein has become incredibly popular among young shoppers, making Xu one of China's richest men.

Is Shein a legitimate website?

Yes, for the most part, Shein is a legitimate website and not a phishing scam. However, there have been numerous quality complaints and shipping issues reported by customers. Given the low price tag, it's not surprising that some people have received disappointing orders, including clothes that don't fit properly, break easily, tear after the first wear, or are see-through. Furthermore, there are ethical concerns surrounding Shein, particularly regarding its trade practices and the working conditions of its suppliers.

Why is Shein so cheap?

There are several reasons behind Shein's low prices. Firstly, the company has minimal overhead costs since it operates exclusively online, selling directly to consumers. Additionally, Shein's marketing strategy relies heavily on mid-tier influencers instead of traditional ad campaigns, which is more cost-effective. Furthermore, Shein has faced accusations of stealing designs, resulting in minimal spending on a design team. Complaints about the quality and cheap materials used in Shein's clothing are common since most pieces are made from inexpensive synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon. These fabrics take a long time to decompose, contributing to environmental concerns. Shein has also faced allegations of using a trade loophole and subcontracting production to outsourced companies, often at the expense of worker exploitation.

Despite these concerns, Shein has taken some steps to address its ethical image. In 2022, the company claimed to have forced its suppliers to stop exploitative practices and even invited influencers to visit its factories. Shein has also responded to allegations of using cotton produced through forced labor by stating that only a small percentage of its cotton came from the region associated with such practices. The company removed any products containing such cotton from sale.