Shein Returns to India: Now Available on Reliance’s New App

Reliance Retail has reintroduced the Chinese fast fashion brand, Shein, in India, almost 5 years after the ban. Following a successful test launch on Ajio, Shein now operates through a dedicated app on both the AppStore and GooglePlay. This marks a significant development in India’s fast fashion sector, driven by a partnership between Reliance and Shein.

Chinese Fashion Label Shein Returns to India

Reliance Retail has officially brought Shein back to India, launching it on an independent app after a two-month test run on the Ajio platform. Shein, the Chinese fashion label now based in Singapore, is focused on offering affordable, fast fashion to Indian consumers.

Shein signed a partnership in 2023 with Reliance Retail, led by Isha Ambani. Through this agreement, Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), a subsidiary of Reliance Retail, entered into a technology deal with Roadget Business Pte Ltd, the owner of Shein, to develop an Indian-based e-commerce platform.

The Shein India Fast Fashion app from Reliance Retail has already surpassed 10,000 downloads on the Google Play Store and is ranked among the top 10 in its category on the Apple App Store.

Why Was Shein Banned in India?

In June 2020, the Indian government banned Shein, along with several other Chinese apps, citing national security concerns following escalating tensions between India and China. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) decided to remove these apps, including Shein, due to concerns over data privacy and user security. The ban was part of broader measures to curb potential security risks related to Chinese-origin apps operating in India.

What Changed for Shein in December Last Year?

In December last year, the Indian government clarified that the sale of branded Shein products was not prohibited, although the app itself was blocked. Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal noted that the partnership between Shein and Reliance Retail would focus on creating a network of local manufacturers and suppliers to produce Shein-branded products, catering to both domestic and international markets.

Shein signed a partnership in 2023 with Reliance Retail which ensures that RRVL retains full control and ownership of the platform, with all platform data stored within India and Shein having no access to or rights over this data.

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