The reintroduced app became available for download last Friday and has quickly attracted attention, with over 10,000 downloads reported in its initial hours. Currently, it is catering to customers in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with plans to expand service coverage across India soon. Before the prohibition in 2020, Shein had gained significant popularity in India for its variety of affordable and fashionable clothing, filling a gap in the market that emerged when it was banned alongside many other Chinese applications. The collaboration between Reliance Retail and Shein aims to make India a critical supply hub for Shein's global operations while emphasizing local manufacturing and textile export growth.

While Shein's comeback signifies a notable exception to India's stringent policies against Chinese apps, it remains surrounded by heightened regulations. Indian officials had previously cited data privacy issues in their decision to outlaw Shein, alongside numerous Chinese applications, heightening scrutiny around consumer data management practices. Notably, other major Chinese apps, such as TikTok and PUBG, have faced similar restrictions, with PUBG finding a way back into the market under a different name.

As Shein resumes operations in India, it signals a complex intersection of commerce, geopolitics, and consumer demand, potentially reshaping the landscape of fast fashion in the region once again.