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 over ** million downloads worldwide between January 1 and June 20, 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 ***** 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 ** 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 and trademark disputes to environmental concerns to health and safety issues.