Shein Fined 40 Million Euros for Fake Discounts in France!
Ever felt like those Shein discounts are just too good to be true? Well, turns out you were right to be suspicious! The French competition authority has slapped the Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein with a whopping 40 million euro fine for deceptive business practices, including fake discount claims.
What Happened?
After nearly a year-long investigation, it was revealed that Shein violated French rules on reference pricing. According to French law, any discount must be based on the lowest price of the product in the previous 30 days. But Shein was caught hiking prices just before applying discounts, tricking customers into thinking they were getting a great deal.
Shocking Investigation Findings
The probe covered thousands of products on Shein’s French website from October 2021 to August 2022. The results are jaw-dropping:
- 57% of advertised discounts did not offer a lower price than before the discount
- 19% of products had smaller discounts than advertised
- 11% of cases actually involved price increases before the discount
More than half of the offers were outright fake!
Shein’s Defense
Shein admitted to the mistakes and said the French agency notified them about the irregularities back in March 2022. They claim to have taken corrective actions within two months and resolved all issues over a year ago. They also emphasize their commitment to complying with French regulations.
Why Does This Matter?
This fine sends a clear message to all online sellers: you can’t fool customers and get away with it! In an era where online shopping is everyday life, transparency and honesty are key. Shein, one of the biggest fast-fashion brands, is now under fire for its dishonest practices.
What Do You Think?
Have you ever noticed suspicious discounts on Shein or other online stores? Do you think fines like this will force companies to be more honest? Or is this just a drop in the ocean of online shopping problems? Drop a comment, share your experience, or just say — who else loves hunting for real discounts without the scam?
Next time you see a “discount” on Shein, maybe think twice before hitting “buy.”
Stay smart and don’t get fooled — because hey, 40 million euros is no joke, and Shein just learned that the hard way!
