Shein fans have been overjoyed after news emerged this week that the popular fashion brand will be launching several pop-up stores across the UK this year. The online retailer has become well-known for its super-cheap prices and extensive range of clothing, homeware, accessories and even pet supplies.
Shein grew to become the world's largest fashion retailer as of 2022, with millions of fans from across the world. The company has also seen plenty of success from launching various fashion campaigns, collaborating with social media influencers and rolling out pop-up stores around the likes of US, the Middle East and Europe.
In a bid to pursue its "physical retail strategy", bosses have decided to open 30 more pop-up stores during the second half of this year - including in the UK. After being approached for comment, a Shein spokesperson told us: "SHEIN will host a total of 30 pop-ups across EMEA in 2023.
"To date, SHEIN has hosted 11 pop-ups across EMEA, including pop-ups in Dubai, Birmingham, Lyon and Ibiza. SHEIN has plans for pop-ups across major cities in EMEA in the second half of the year.
"SHEIN remains digital-first, with no plans to open permanent stores, and will continue to deliver omni-channel shopping experiences through our pop-ups for our consumers to touch and feel our products, as well as to interact and engage directly with SHEIN's local brand ambassadors."
The news comes not long after the brand's hugely successful pop-up shops earlier this year. Back in March, masses of queues formed inside Birmingham’s Bullring as a pop-up store opened for the first time in the shopping centre. In April, fans at Cabot Circus in Bristol were able to shop inside a Easter-themed bus, before it headed to St David’s in Cardiff.
So what can shoppers expect at these new pop-up stores?
If the pop-ups are anything like the three UK ones earlier this years, fans will be in for a treat. The Shein bus that visited Bristol and Cardiff as part of the brand's ‘spring edit’ gave fans the chance to check out its latest seasonal offerings.
Each customer was also able to get themselves a free manicure, along with the chance to win prizes like clothing and make-up. Meanwhile, the pop-up shop in Birmingham opened up inside its former Karen Miller unit, and was filled to the brim with newly launched pieces, such as statement partywear, spring staples and new-in swimwear.
Shoppers were also given the chance to try-before-you-buy in-person and check out its line of beauty and skincare products. The store was decorated with pastel coloured balloons, bouquets of flowers and glossy mirror backdrops - perfect for taking pictures.
Although the exact locations of where these new stores will be remains top secret, it is believed they will situated across the UK, Europe and Middle East. No opening dates have been given yet either, but all are set to be launched by the end of this year.
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However, Shein's bargain clothing comes with hidden costs - including its fast fashion impact on the environment. As highlighted in a documentary by Channel 4, Shein has become known for its alleged poor treatment of workers, with employees reportedly working 75-hour shifts.
It has also been previously slammed over claims of ripping off designs from small designers and its environmentally-unsustainable business model.
A statement on the official Shein website reads: "SHEIN is a global fashion and lifestyle e-retailer committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all. We use on-demand manufacturing technology to connect suppliers to our agile supply chain, reducing inventory waste and enabling us to deliver a variety of affordable products to customers around the world. From our global offices, we reach customers in more than 150 countries."
