Articles by AFP
Shein website avoids suspension by French court
On Friday, the Paris judicial court rejected the French state's request to temporarily block the Shein website. It deemed the measure “disproportionate” following the e-commerce giant’s voluntary removal of illicit products. The court acknowledged “serious harm to public order”, citing the sale of sex dolls resembling young girls, weapons and...
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Swiss watchmakers halt US shipments awaiting lower tariffs
Zurich, Switzerland – Swiss watch exports to the US plummeted again in November, as manufacturers delayed shipments in anticipation of a tariff reduction to 15 percent. According to data from the watchmaking federation published on Thursday, exports to the US fell by 52.3 percent in November. This follows declines of 46.8 percent in October,...
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LVMH appoints new managing director at Bulgari, Laura Burdese
Luxury giant LVMH announced on Thursday the appointment of Laura Burdese as managing director of the Italian jewellery brand Bulgari, effective July 1, 2026. Burdese, 54, who has served as deputy managing director since July 2024, will succeed Jean-Christophe Babin. Babin will remain chairman of the board of directors at Bulgari, “while...
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IKKS Group acquired, many jobs to be cut
French ready-to-wear group IKKS, having been placed in receivership, has found a buyer. The acquisition will see its workforce halved with the loss of approximately 500 jobs, according to the takeover bid approved by the Paris Commercial Court on Friday. 546 direct jobs retained out of 1,094 The offer proposes the retention of 546 direct jobs...
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Taxation of small Chinese parcels: EU moves to practical implementation
Brussels (Belgium) - The principle has been agreed, yet practical details remain to be settled. The 27 member states must find a provisional solution on Friday to tax the mountains of small Chinese parcels imported into the European Union “as soon as possible” in 2026. This move comes without waiting for the initial deadline set for 2028. Some...
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Europe unites against ultra-fast fashion: eight countries call on Brussels to “strengthen” mobilisation
Led by France, eight European countries are calling on the European Commission and member states to “strengthen” their “collective mobilisation” against the “systemic risks” they believe are posed by e-commerce platforms such as Shein and its competitors. The letter was sent to Brussels on Monday. “We call on the Commission to mobilise strongly...
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SMCP Group announces sale of over 50 percent of capital
Fashion group SMCP (Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac) announced on Thursday the sale of shares representing up to 51.2 percent of its capital. The process is expected to take “several months” and could allow the company “to stabilise its shareholding structure”. Context This announcement follows the forced return of 15.5 percent of SMCP’...
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Amnesty International calls on textile giants to protect workers' rights
On Thursday, the NGO Amnesty International called on global textile companies and the governments of four Asian countries to take action to protect workers' rights and ensure decent wages. In two reports published on Thursday, the NGO states that fashion brands manufacturing in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka must urgently take...
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French retail sector unites against Shein
Major French trade federations representing sectors from mass market retail to clothing and toys are suing Shein for “unfair competition”. The Asian e-commerce giant, already under government scrutiny, described the move as a “boycott attempt”. Several sector organisations stated in a press release that Shein’s model “relies on non-compliance...
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Claire's France: two takeover bids approved by court, half of employees retained
The Paris Commercial Court approved two partial takeover bids for the Claire's brand in France on Friday. The company was placed in administration at the end of July, lawyers for the staff representatives told AFP on Monday. The lawyers detailed that around 450 out of 830 employees will be taken on by two companies. The vast majority will be...
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