Since its establishment in 2012, global integrated online marketplace of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products, SHEIN has proven its potential with striking emergence in the already matured affordable fashion market. Committed to the mission of "making the beauty of fashion accessible to all”, SHEIN is now stepping up to leverage its current success to achieve bigger- presenting sustainable lifestyles to everyone.

"We know we have an important role to play in preserving the resources we all share. We've come a long way and we are evolving to ensure that our business practices are aligned with our customer's goals and values." Maggie Gu, Co-founder and General Manager of SHEIN.

Agile On-demand Business Model

SHEIN has been set up based on the model of maintaining an overall balance between supply and consumer demands, which is considered the critical factor in its success as an online retailer.  

The company has developed a supply chain that allows it to quickly respond to changing market trends within a short period of the product development cycle by leveraging data analytics and AI to predict trends, thereby substantially eliminating overstock and excess production and reducing waste. “This also results in saving valuable raw resources, which means a lower environmental impact." Guocong Liao, General Manager, SHEIN Supplier Factory.

Materials, Factories and Circularity

SHEIN embeds a sustainability mindset across its entire value chain, from sourcing, and production to the disposal of their products at their end of life.  

The company is accelerating the uptake of responsibly sourced materials, for instance, recycled polyester and forest-safe viscose. SHEIN joined the CanopyStyle initiative led by Canopy, a solutions-driven non-profit organization that works with brands to transform supply chains and has taken the first step by establishing a policy, promising to eliminate any fibres from Ancient and Endangered Forests by 2025. Amanda Carr, Director of Strategic Initiatives of Canopy, applauds their collaboration, "We've noticed that SHEIN is motivated to act fast."

SHEIN sources products and materials with independent suppliers and each vendor is required to sign the company's Code of Conduct. SHEIN’s Responsible Sourcing program was created to ensure the continuous improvement of its partners to meet SHEIN’s standards of social and environmental compliance.

SHEIN recently launched its SHEIN Exchange platform, an integrated online peer-to-peer resale destination to buy and sell previously owned SHEIN products to help achieve longevity and circularity of the products.

Fast Forwarding to a Sustainable Future

SHEIN recognizes the current stage as a turnaround moment in the history of the company. With its proven propensity to proactive action, the company hits the fast-forward button on its sustainable journey. Adam Whinston, Global Head of ESG at SHEIN, is spearheading the effort to help SHEIN continue to advance its sustainability and social impact practices. He says, "We are looking to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. We're also looking to achieve full circularity by 2050, and we hope we get there sooner. We will bring more sustainable products to market, and we invite our customers to join us in our journey to full circularity."

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