Overview

• Workers and unions rallied outside BHV Marais on Oct. 10 to oppose SGM’s deal with Shein, citing brand departures and job fears, while SGM blamed delayed supplier payments on a post-acquisition system change it says will be fixed within weeks.
• Shein’s Paris boutique is scheduled to open on Nov. 1 inside BHV Marais, with further in-store locations announced across several SGM-operated department stores in France.
• Galeries Lafayette says Shein store-in-store openings would breach contractual obligations at sites using its name, a claim SGM rejects, setting up a contractual dispute.
• Supplier backlash has escalated, with APC exiting BHV, PVH considering withdrawal, and Cabaïa threatening to leave, as the womenswear federation warns the move would weaken French fashion.
• Financial and public pressure is rising as a French state bank reportedly pulled out of talks to help finance a BHV property purchase over the partnership, a petition nears 100,000 signatures, and Shein—fined €191 million by French and Italian regulators since July—argues the tie-up will attract younger shoppers and create jobs.