Shein: Ethical Issues of Fast Fashion

Shein, a China-based clothing manufacturing company, is facing severe scrutiny regarding its unethical practices in both workers' rights and environmental regulations. Employees of the manufacturing giant are expected to work at least 75 hours per week and often work up to twelve hours per day sewing fabric together. According to interviewed Shein employees, workstations at these plants consist of corridors covered in bags, workers at standing tables, and workstations lit by neon lights. Individuals investigating a Shein manufacturing plant reported that there were no emergency exits, and stairs and entrances were difficult to navigate, with upper windows being barred off. It is highly likely that, with an entire building full of kindling, a fire could result in serious injuries and even casualties. Employees at such plants are expected to work from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with, on average, two hours of breaks allotted during the shift. Factory workers work after dinner hours for six

Shein, initially named 'SheInside,' was created in 2008 by entrepreneur Chris Xu and has quickly become the world's largest online fashion retailer. In 2014, the online retail giant established its own supply chain center, with the official Shein app launching the following year. By 2022, the company had become the most searched fashion brand in the world and achieved over 100 million in sales. The lean business model focuses on minimizing losses caused by unsold inventory by employing an aggressive marketing strategy, resulting in a 98% sales-to-manufacture rate. The fashion giant has experienced exponential growth in recent years, reaching over 10,000 employees and 6,000 suppliers. Shein prides itself on its ability to process thousands of new designs each day, producing a seemingly never-ending variety of fashion pieces. Marketing has been a major growth factor in the explosion of Shein's popularity in the Western world. Many young clothing consumers have a demand fo

Much of the concern surrounding Shein's unethical practices stems from their unwillingness to disclose information, respond to inquiries, or participate in interviews. Shein appears to focus on shutting down and redirecting ethical issues rather than addressing them directly. For example, in the summer of 2023, a group of designers filed a RICO lawsuit accusing Shein of multiple violations, such as stealing designs. Shein claims that designs were not stolen, although many are extraordinarily similar, stating, 'This claim is built on nothing but conjectures and conveniently placed buzzwords. We have asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, and we will continue to defend ourselves against these claims that are without merit.' There have been fifty-three outstanding lawsuits alleging copyright infringement cases against Shein, with twelve of them currently ongoing. Artist design on the left compared to stolen Shein art on the right Shein has developed a habit of making empty pr

 It is nearly impossible to find literature that paints Shein in a positive light. Many blogs and reporters are against the practices of the company, going as far as saying, "Yes, it is wrong for consumers who prioritize sustainability, ethical labor practices, and responsible consumption to buy from Shein." A blog analyzing the public outlook on the company describes it as "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." After constant factual criticism, Shein continues to deny or, in some cases, ignore serious allegations, further damaging their public brand image. The Eco-Stylist blog focusing on Shein, titled "How Ethical is Shein? Is Shein Bad for the Environment? Let's Discuss" continues to point out the major ethical flaws and lies present in the Shein business

 Due to the severe negativity that surrounds the Shein brand, much change is needed in order to reconcile its issues. Shein is widely seen as a company that is lacking in morals, integrity, and overall trustworthiness. Fixing this global view will take reworking the entire business model from the roots. Fast Fashion, in Shein's case, generates an incredible amount of waste, from the production of the materials used in the clothing to the rapidly filling landfills across the world. Shein needs to first develop a strategy to produce the necessary materials used in the clothing without using forced labor from the Xianjing region and without generating pollution equivalent to 180 coal-powered power plants. Reusability of these new materials is imperative as recyclability is another major component of the business that urgently needs to be improved upon.  Following Chinese employee labor laws is an additional issue that needs to be rectified. By hiring additional employees the plants wo