Blog 8: The fast fashion leader: SHEIN.

Hi Conscious Consumers , 

Welcome to blog 8. 

This blog will discuss Shein a highly popular fast-fashion the seems to do everything right. Social media 🤩, influencers 🤩, pop-up shops 🤩, has had massive growth over the last 5 years 🤩 but are they sustainable 😖 (absolutely, not). 

It's no doubt that SHEIN is a leader within the fast fashion industry and they are know the biggest fast-fashion retailer taking over Zara and H&M combined (Mintel 2023). So how has it got so big? 

SHEIN's background 

Shein is a Business - Consumer (B2C) business, that has successfully captured consumers attention through their e-commerce websites and apps. SHEIN sells everything in terms of from baby vests to grandads cardgain. There is something for everyone. 

Some would even say it's the "Best thing" but is it really? 

The companies digital success is phenomenal and they have a well-established supply chain with numerous warehouses and distribution centres all around the world to cater for all customers worldwide. 

The company started in 2008 and rebranded it's self in 2012 and initiated its social media efforts with fashion bloggers. They became successful from the get go, but the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the companies growth (just like it did with all online shopping). 

The rise of online shopping in 2020 

(ONS, 2021) 

In 2021, the company expanded their portfolio and started selling goods such as household and beauty items and in 2021 the company became the world's largest online fashion-brand. 

In 2022, the company had a revenue of 24 billion dollars, making its company comparable with Zara and H&M. 

Influencers or encouragers to fast-fashion? 

Shein loves influencers, they have used them since 2012. But they have made this company a global giant which is good for them but unfortunately terrible for the environment. 

It is recorded that SHEIN produces 10,000 goods every day and they have brainwashed Gen-Z that you need to buy now and don't wear things twice therefore, making fast fashion problem worse. 

Everything is wrong regarding sustainability and SHEIN. 

40 percent of their garments end up in landfill each year adding to the 87% for the year. 

They produce 6.3 million tons of co2 emissions each year. 

And use, 7 billion cubic meters of water annually throughout their production process. 

So everything, is wrong. encouraging over excessive buying and targettigng Gen-Z, producing high levels of Co2 emissions, using a lot of water and adding to the landfill the problem each year. 

Please conscious consumers, please stay away from Shein and purchase from companies who give back to the planet! 🪴🪴🪴