Paris says no to outdoor Christmas events for BHV presenter Shein

The BHV department store in Paris will not be able to host outdoor Christmas events this year, unlike in previous years, city authorities said, after identifying violations related to the opening of Shein's first physical store inside BHV.

Online fast fashion retailer Shein launched the store earlier this month, attracting thousands of bargain hunters and sparking widespread backlash from other retailers and regulators.

On the day of the opening of the Shein store in Paris, the French Ministry of Finance decided to suspend its French market after finding child-like sex dolls and prohibited weapons for sale on the platform. It later stopped the suspension procedure after the Chinese retailer removed all illicit products, but Shein remains under close surveillance.

On Wednesday, the city of Paris, whose offices are opposite the BHV on Rue de Rivoli, said it had made the decision to suspend the display of Christmas trees and other decorations, citing a “very controversial context” related to the opening of Shein and the risk of unrest in public spaces.

“The police chief…considered that security conditions were not in place to allow the closure of the street and the continuation of the events,” the city said in a statement.

It added that earlier this month BHV had committed alleged violations, including using public spaces to install Shein furniture and banners without authorization. BHV, which launched its indoor Christmas decorations on Tuesday, declined to comment on the ban.