Shein is known to serve garments and products at the cheapest price possible so that everyone can afford the joy of being in fashion and trends. Despite being founded as a b2c fashion e-retailer, now they’re selling in more than 150 countries with a current valuation of over $100 billion, and Shein is the first private fashion company to reach this level.
I am an outdoor person, love to do hiking, camping, and nearly all outdoor activities that are not highly risky (for now, at least). And I stumbled on the Shein while searching for hiking wear and naturally, I asked where are these made to provide such affordability, and are they even good, should I consider it? Read this article where I did my best to solve the same doubt that you have.
Is Shein The U.S. Company?
Shein is a Chinese online fast fashion company that may make some people uncomfortable as the United States is its major market. It was founded by Chris Xu in 2008 in Nanjing, China, and the company was originally named ZZKKO (sounds very random to me).
From 2008 to 2013-14, Shein was selling clothes obtained from the wholesale market in Guangzhou. In 2014, Shein started developing its supply chain system, shifting towards a fully integrated retailer.
I was shocked to know that Shein doubled its market share in the U.S. between March 2020 to March 2022, from around 18 percent to about 40 percent. It indeed earned great applause for being so successful in the U.S. despite how many people criticize Chinese products.
Where Are Shein Clothing & Other Products Made? (Factual Analysis)
In total Shein has more than 6000 suppliers that do all the manufacturing work in 17 different categories, many of which are small businesses; thanks to them, we’re getting on-time delivery of all fashion trends at an affordable price. They use on-demand manufacturing technology to connect all 6000 suppliers in an efficient supply chain, which helps to reduce inventory wastage and deliver quality products at an affordable price (honestly, they claim that they only deliver quality products, but we all know we get what we pay for, sometimes Shein clothes can last for years, while other only a few washes).
Related: Where Is Stussy Clothing Made?
So where are Shein shirts, swimsuits, bathing suits, and other products made? The majority of manufacturing is happening in China, followed by some other Asian countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but no manufacturing is being done in Western countries like the U.S. Designing clothes is widespread. As of 2021, Shein worked with nearly 1500 designers from over 25 countries which includes Italy, France, Malaysia, the UK, Australia, Mexico, UAE, and Spain.
The company has key operation centers in 3 countries – China, the U.S., and Singapore along with centers in other major global markets.
I Want To Visit Shein Physical Store, Is It Possible?
As of 2023, Shein has no permanent physical store anywhere in the world and that is why they called themselves e-retailers which rely totally on e-commerce and digital medium to sell and promote their inventory. And it is not a failing strategy as you should know that the Shein app ranks in the top 5 positions in over 10 markets and has more than 250 million followers across all social media channels.
Yes, periodically, they open pop-up stores or temporary stores in some big cities of the U.S. like Newyork, and Barcelona for Europe. Where would they open the next pop-up store is pretty hard to say so you need to follow their social media accounts to know if any such event occurs near your city.
Related: Where Is Cider Clothing Made?
How Is Shein Producing So Much?
According to several reports like one from the guardian and Euronews shows us that Shein is producing about 700 to 1000 new styles per day, where the initial launch for each style is with 50-100 products, if the style shows popularity then, mass production comes into play. If we take a nominal average, then Shein is producing at least 35,000-40,000 products per day which gives it a good edge over other fast fashion brands.
Now, after researching thoroughly, as no official data about supplier locations are available, the majority of production happens in China, followed by some other Asian countries. It is very important, for a brand like Shein which offers very affordable clothing, to cut the price of manufacturing as much as possible and for this, they work with suppliers who offers very low wage. Though, the company says it works on a fair wage system; Euronews says It’s a race to the bottom for who can pay their workers the least to produce the clothes the quickest and cheapest.
Shein claims that they are doing its best to reduce production waste, and knowing its abounding supply of clothes, they attempt to sell the unsold or returned items at the wholesale price before it can donate them to people in need. But have you ever thought, that polyester and other plastic-derived fabric take lead in manufacturing dirt cheap clothes, it is a torture to the environment.
Does Shein Use Unethical Labor?
There are controversies and actual public interviews with workers working in manufacturing faculties contracted by Shein to be working 12 hours a day which is against China’s labor policy. On the other hand, Shein has launched the Shein Spotlight program that is helping over 14,000 employees of 120 suppliers to help cover the educational cost and child care. Furthermore, Shein asks suppliers to comply with local laws and the company’s code which are per International Labor Organisation (ILO).
One of the grades for supply audit is Zero Tolerance Violations (ZTV), in which Shein holds zero tolerance towards forced labor, severe environmental pollution, severe health and safety violation, and underage labor. If any supplier grades with ZTV; first Shein gives them a timeframe to resolve the issue and if they failed to do so they’ll terminate the contract. In some severe cases like underage labor, the termination happens immediately.
In 2021, Shein performed 700 audits on supplier faculties using SEDEX, SMETA, and SRX program standards and they’ll continue to do so to ensure that all levels of suppliers comply with their code of conduct. Like in 2021, the company found 12% of their supplier grading ZTV, on which they are taking action, so yes Shein is transparent and doing at least something to make sure human treatment is given to all workers and not being neglected just to bulk produce every hour.
Should You Buy From Shein, Despite Being Chinese?
I am not against Chinese clothes or products unless they provide quality that justifies the price and gives labor human treatment rather than exploiting the supply chain to create the cheapest clothes in the fastest time. That’s why in many ways, I don’t like the idea of fast fashion. But as it provides a way to experience trending fashion at prices that normally everyone can afford, which stands for the success and love of youths that brands like Shein are experiencing. The success is not yet affected by bad reviews of quality because they’re so cheap that no one resents them if they are worn out in 3-4 washes. Nonetheless, if you’re like me and believe in spending some extra money to buy sustainable brands then you will enjoy reading the 69 most sustainable fashion brands from America.
Now it is on us – the consumers, whether we want to weigh the cheapest products over the expense of human and earth exploitation or we want clothes that may be a bit expensive; however, they don’t do any torture to the supply chain and earth.
Citation:
- https://us.shein.com/2021-Sustainability-and-Social-Impact-Report-a-1218.html
- Corporate Social Responsibility | SHEIN UK
Michael is heavily inclined towards traveling to natural places and documenting cultures/people from different parts of the world. He also loves hiking and camping and is spirited toward all outdoor activities. He will share his passion for outdoor life and brands or products we use outside our homes. He has good research skills, and that’s why you can see why his articles are packed with info that is factual and not readily available. He also has the vision to travel the whole world and share it with all readers of Outdoor Favor.
