Riot police officers stand guard as people protest in front of the BHV department store in Paris on the opening day of Asian e-commerce giant Shein's first physical store outside the BHV department store in Paris on November 5, 2025. DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP
Riot police officers were deployed in the center of the French capital ahead of the opening of Shein's first permanent physical store on the sixth floor of the BHV department store, an iconic building that has stood across from Paris City Hall since 1856.
The first clients entered the store on Wednesday, November 5 under the watchful eye of riot police at around 1200 GMT, after queuing for hours outside, AFP reporters saw. In the line outside before the opening, some said they arrived out of curiosity, while others pointed to the brand's affordability.
"Times have changed, generations have changed," Mohamed Joullanar, a 30-year-old who already buys from Shein online, told AFP. "I'd never thought of going to BHV before," the Moroccan masters student told AFP. "I always heard it was expensive, luxury products. But now, thanks to Shein, I'm here."
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