Today, many shoppers opt for stores that offer fashionable clothing pieces at lower prices. But when popular stores advertise clothes at super low prices, it is only natural to be a little suspicious. Shein is a company that rose to prominence by promoting cheap products, sometimes selling garments for as little as 30 cents.
But where is Shein based, where does it ship from, and how is it so cheap?
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Why Is Shein So Cheap?
Shein is a legitimate store on paper, but there are a few reasons why its clothes are so cheap. It may sound a little contradictory, but local clothing lines that operate domestically often cost more than items shipped from overseas. But why do this?
Working conditions and quality standards are not the same between nations, and wages can differ massively from place to place. In certain countries, the minimum wage is far lower than that seen in western nations like the US, UK, and Canada, and fashion companies know this.
By outsourcing labor, clothing retailers can cut costs and boost profits by paying workers less. And, when labor costs are cut, product costs can be cut, too, leading to super affordable clothing.
In short, Shein produces its clothes in generic wholesale factories to keep its costs at a minimum. While this allows you to buy clothes at dirt-cheap prices, it poses an ethical dilemma. The working standards of Shein seamstresses are controversial, to say the least. According to the BBC, some Shein warehouse workers work upwards of 75 hours a week.
It’s also worth noting that certain “fast fashion” brands (i.e. those that mass-produce fashion items in a short period of time) like Shein use lower quality materials to produce their clothing, which will
