Global downloads of Shein shopping app 2016-2025
The Chinese fashion e-commerce giant Shein Group has surged to prominence. Founded in 2008 as ZZKKO, it quickly evolved into the world's largest fashion retailer in 2022. Its app attracted around 42.6 million downloads worldwide in the first 15 weeks of 2025.
Faster and cheaper
The online-only fast-fashion company has a unique business model. Enabled by algorithms and data analytics, its swift production and fashion trend prediction abilities have set it apart in the fast fashion e-commerce world. Its algorithm-driven supply chain enables it to reduce the production time to seven days and offer thousands of new items on its site every week at much lower price levels than its competitors.
Behind the low-price tags
The fashion retailer also collaborates with numerous fashion bloggers to harness platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Combined with its adept use of social media marketing, SHEIN achieved a staggering 38 billion U.S. dollars in gross merchandise value in 2024. Despite its rapid growth and popularity, Shein's reputation is marred by a barrage of controversies, ranging from labor rights violations, trademark disputes, environmental concerns, to health and safety issues.
