🌈 Shein banned for rainbow bracelets
The Central District Court of Tula banned Shein's website in Russia, citing "LGBT propaganda." The ruling came after authorities found rainbow-colored bracelets for sale. Officials from Rospotrebnadzor flagged the items during a routine search. They argued the products were available to all ages, including minors. Verstka, an independent publication, broke the news. As of now, the website remains accessible without VPN services.
📈 Shein’s growth in Russia
Shein, founded in 2008 in China, became a favorite in Russia. By May 2021, it had 606,800 daily users, surpassing Lamoda’s 519,100. However, in 2020, Shein's $45M sales in Russia lagged far behind Lamoda’s $558M turnover. After suspending its Russian operations in early 2024, Shein returned in July 2024 through a workaround using the shipping service CDEK.Shopping.
🚨 Legal and cultural backdrop
Russia’s ban on Shein highlights the country's strict anti-LGBTQ+ stance. Laws passed in 2013 and expanded in 2022 penalize content deemed as “LGBT propaganda.” Rainbow symbols have become targets of this law. The court’s decision may lead to Roskomnadzor blocking Shein’s website permanently. This is a continuation of increasing crackdowns on Western-style freedoms.
🛍️ Shein’s global relevance
Shein is a global fast fashion giant, now headquartered in Singapore. Its appeal lies in affordable, trendy items shipped worldwide. The Russian market, though smaller compared to others, reflects Shein’s international reach. The court’s decision, however, could limit Shein's Russian operations again. This is a setback as Shein strives to maintain growth in challenging regulatory environments worldwide.
Does this decision reflect growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment globally?
