Fashion
Shein fined massive 150 million euros in France for non-compliance with cookie legislation
By
AFP
Published
September 3, 2025
Asian discount clothing giant Shein has been fined a massive 150 million euros in France for failing to comply with legislation on cookies, the French privacy watchdog Cnil announced on Wednesday.
The Cnil, which has also imposed a record fine of 325 million euros on Google for similar grievances, denounces the fact that these computer trackers had been deposited on the devices of Internet users who had visited the Shein site without their consent, or without respecting their choice or informing them correctly.
These are the two biggest penalties ever imposed by the Cnil, with the exception of a 150 million euro fine imposed on Google in 2022, also on the subject of cookies.
The French data protection watchdog justified the exceptional nature of the fine imposed on Shein by the fact that the legislation on which this decision is based is already in force, in particular the French Data Protection Act (Loi Informatique et Libertés), which the company could not ignore.
“Since 2020,” Cnil’s restricted committee “has on numerous occasions sanctioned organizations for similar breaches, making its decisions public,” stressed the institution in a press release.
This is a colossal sanction, given the very high number of users potentially affected – an average of 12 million French people every month – argued the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (Cnil).
Shein complied “during the course of the procedure,” the Cnil pointed out.
The company “firmly contests” this decision “and will lodge an appeal with the Council of State and the Court of Justice of the European Union,” it told AFP.
“We consider the fine to be totally disproportionate, given the nature of the alleged grievances, our current compliance, and the proactive corrective measures we have put in place,” said Shein.
“The severity of the penalty appears to be motivated by political considerations rather than by a fair and balanced application of the regulations,” the company judges. Recalling that it has “fully cooperated with the Cnil” since August 2023, Shein says it regrets that “no warning was ever issued” prior to the “formal notice.”
The brand, which stands out for its extremely low prices, profusion of SKUs and aggressive marketing, has been booming in France and Europe in recent years.
However, it has attracted the wrath of human rights and environmental associations, trade players and the authorities. Accused in turn of environmental pollution, deceptive business practices, unfair competition, and undignified labor, Shein symbolizes, according to its detractors, all the ills of “ultra fast fashion.”
The company with sales of $23 billion (by 2022) is the target of a proposed French law aimed at regulating ephemeral fashion, notably through an advertising ban, financial penalties, and an obligation to make consumers aware of the environmental impact of their clothing.
At the beginning of July, the platform was fined 40 million euros for misleading commercial practices by France’s Repression des Fraudes, for, among other things, marking up certain prices before applying a discount.
Paris, Sept 3, 2025 (AFP)
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The UK economy is forecast to expand by 1.3 per cent in 2025, up from the earlier 1.1 per cent estimate, supported by stronger Q1 performance and public spending. Growth is projected at 1.2 per cent in 2026 before rising to 1.5 per cent in 2027.
Business investment remains weak at 1.6 per cent this year, sharply down from the previous 4.8 per cent forecast, reflecting subdued SME sentiment and higher national insurance costs. A modest recovery is projected—1.9 per cent in 2026 and 3 per cent in 2027, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said in a release.
Exports are forecast to grow 3.1 per cent in 2025, aided by early momentum before new US tariffs, but net trade will stay negative as imports climb 4.4 per cent. Net trade is expected to contract by -1.3 per cent this year, -0.7 per cent in 2026, and -0.9 per cent in 2027.
“While 2025 may be slightly better than forecast, the overall growth landscape for the UK in the next couple of years looks weak. The economy will continue to be buffeted by global headwinds, alongside ongoing worries about high bond yields. Government expenditure has bolstered the economy this year, but the spending taps are likely to be tightened very soon across Whitehall,” said Vicky Pryce, chair of the BCC Economic Advisory Council, commenting on the forecast.
Inflation is expected to remain stubbornly above the Bank of England’s target, with CPI revised up to 3.7 per cent for 2025, before easing to 2.5 per cent in 2026 and 2.1 per cent in 2027. Higher wages and national insurance hikes continue to drive price pressures.
Interest rates are unlikely to fall further this year, with the base rate projected to hold at 4 per cent by end-2025. Limited cuts are expected in 2026, lowering the rate to 3.5 per cent, where it is set to remain through 2027.
Earnings growth will outpace inflation, rising 4.3 per cent in 2025, then 4.1 per cent in 2026 and 4 per cent in 2027, though this adds inflationary pressures. Unemployment is forecast to stay stable at 4.7 per cent through 2026, easing slightly to 4.5 per cent in 2027.
“A net trade deficit will continue to weigh on growth going forward. Global trade tensions, ongoing conflicts, and the recent removal of the USA’s de minimis threshold for small exporters are acting as a drag anchor on exports,” David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce said.
“The forthcoming Autumn Budget will be a pivotal moment. The Chancellor faces some tough decisions as more tax rises risk severely undermining sentiment and investment even further. Sustainable growth depends on driving productivity through modern infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and seizing the opportunities of the AI revolution. SMEs need the tools to invest, trade and expand. Without this, the UK risks being locked into a prolonged low-growth trap,” Bharier suggested.
“The spectre of inflation is set to loom over the economy for some time to come, with consumers reluctant to spend. That’s likely to slow the path of interest rate cuts. Government long-term strategies are welcome – but firms can’t only exist on promises of tomorrow. They need help today to grow, recruit and compete,” Pryce added.
The UK economy is forecast to grow 1.3 per cent in 2025, easing to 1.2 per cent in 2026 before 1.5 per cent in 2027.
Business investment stays weak at 1.6 per cent this year, while net trade remains negative despite 3.1 per cent export growth.
Inflation will stay above target at 3.7 per cent in 2025, with rates at 4 per cent.
Earnings outpace inflation.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Published
September 5, 2025
UK jeweller Beaverbrooks has filed its accounts for the year to 1 March and they show a revenue decline, although it was partly accounted for by the previous year including 53 weeks rather than 52 for the latest period. It also said the gross margin increased but it swung to a loss.
Turnover at the family-owned firm dropped to £217.3 million from £228.65 million, and gross profit dipped to £24.69 million from £25.74 million. The gross profit margin was 11.36%, up from 11.26%.
The company said operating profit before discretionary payments was £6.9 million, down from £11 million. Those discretionary payments included performance-related remuneration and contributions to charity with operating profit after them down to £1 million from £1.59 million.
Profit before tax was £0.34 million, down from £1 million and with the impact of tax on that figure, the net loss for the period was £0.79 million, after the company had been marginally profitable the year before.
The firm said its directors were satisfied with its performance in a period during which its customers, colleagues and suppliers were all “significantly impacted” by the rising cost of living in the UK and the effect of geopolitical uncertainty on costs in the supply chain.
Beaverbrooks continued strategic marketing and investment in its stores during the period, including the opening of its third Loupe boutique in Preston.
Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
By
Reuters
Published
September 5, 2025
Shares of Lululemon Athletica fell more than 17% in premarket trading on Friday after the athleticwear maker lowered its annual profit and sales forecasts, citing weak US demand and increased tariff costs.
The company reduced its annual profit outlook for the second consecutive quarter on Thursday, as it contends with shrinking market share, rising competition, a volatile economic environment, and tariffs that are impacting discretionary consumer spending.
Lululemon’s shares have declined more than 40% this year. Weekly product launches have had little effect on reviving sales as American shoppers approach the holiday season cautiously.
“We have let our product life cycles run too long within many of our core categories,” CEO Calvin McDonald said during a post-earnings call on Thursday.
Comparable sales for the Americas segment—its largest—declined by 1%, while international sales grew by 15%.
“The US drives the earnings and the US is fading fast here,” Jefferies analyst Randal Konik said in a note.
“Rising competition won’t stop either, which means Lululemon’s earnings per share are permanently impaired,” Konik added.
The company now expects annual profit per share between €12.77 and €12.97, down from its previous guidance of €14.58 to €14.78.
Lululemon estimates a €240 million impact on its 2025 gross profit due to increased tariffs and the removal of the de minimis exemption.
The yogawear maker, which relies heavily on sourcing and manufacturing in Vietnam and mainland China, remains vulnerable to the tariffs introduced under former President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
Lululemon’s forward price-to-earnings ratio—a common stock valuation metric—currently stands at 13.82, significantly lower than Nike’s 39.21, according to data from LSEG.
© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.
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