After being banned in India for five years due to data security concerns, the fast fashion app Shein has officially relaunched, allowing Indian consumers to access its trendy collections once more. This move comes after Reliance Retail entered into a long-term licensing agreement with Shein's parent company, ensuring that products sold on the platform are manufactured and sourced within India. The app's relaunch follows stringent regulations requiring data storage within the country, a response influenced by previous tensions between India and China, particularly surrounding military clashes in a disputed area.
Shein Makes A Comeback in India After Five-Year Ban
Shein Makes A Comeback in India After Five-Year Ban
Chinese fashion powerhouse, Shein, has been reintroduced in India through a partnership with Reliance Retail.
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.
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.
