French authorities fine Shein 22.5 million euros over business practices

The French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has imposed a total fine of 22.5 million euros on the retailer Shein. The penalty is divided into 16.7 million euros for issues related to order confirmation and 5.8 million euros for breaches concerning returns and environmental information. Shein has dismissed these as technical issues with no impact on consumers and stated its intention to appeal the decision in its entirety. This follows a previous 40 million euro fine imposed on the company in July for misleading discount practices. French authorities have increased regulatory scrutiny of the platform since November 2023, following reports of prohibited items being sold on the site. While the government previously attempted to suspend the company's marketplace operations, the Paris Court of Appeal rejected that motion in March. The company maintains that the current penalty is disproportionate.