The Global Story Shein: How the fast fashion disruptor ran into real world problems
Nov 27, 2025
Laura Bicker, BBC China correspondent and investigative reporter, shares her eye-opening findings from Guangzhou factories supplying Shein, the fast-fashion giant. She discusses the controversies surrounding Shein's Paris store protests and the brand's viral success on social media. Bicker reveals shocking labor practices, including low pay and allegations of child labor, and explains how Shein’s rapid production model contrasts with traditional retailers. The conversation ends with a reflection on the future of Shein amid growing scrutiny and demands for transparency.
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Algorithmic Ultra‑Fast Fashion
- Shein's algorithm-driven model and tiny-batch manufacturing let it behave more like Amazon than H&M, rapidly launching thousands of low-cost SKUs.
- That software+supply agility is the core competitive insight behind its rapid global rise.
Paris Store Visit Reveals Skepticism
- Tristan visited Shein's first Paris shop and found customers and children skeptical about quality and ethics.
- Some shoppers said in-store prices felt higher than online and materials seemed poor.
Guangzhou Factories And Piecework Pay
- Laura Bicker spent days inside Guangzhou's clothing factories, observing machines running long hours and workers paid per piece.
- She reported many suppliers are independent, not owned by Shein, and workers valued the guaranteed pay despite low rates.