Uniqlo sues China rival Shein over viral bag copies

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A woman walks past a display of bags at a Uniqlo retail store in Tokyo on Jan 16, 2024. Japanese fashion giant Uniqlo said on Jan 16 that it is suing Chinese rival Shein over copycats of a massively popular crossbody pouch dubbed online the "Mary Poppins carryall". - (Photo by RICHARD A. BROOKS / AFP)

TOKYO - Japanese fashion giant Uniqlo said Tuesday that it is suing Chinese rival Shein over copycats of a massively popular crossbody pouch dubbed online the "Mary Poppins carryall".

Videos of fans praising its deceptively small size have gone viral on social media, with one clip on TikTok of a young woman unpacking numerous large items racking up more than a million views.

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The lawsuit filed in Japan against Shein Japan and two subsidiaries "demands the immediate cessation of sales of the imitation products, and compensation for damages incurred," Uniqlo said in a statement.

The nylon Round Mini Shoulder Bag, retailing for $19.90 in the United States, has reportedly become Uniqlo's best-selling bag ever, repeatedly selling out.

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Shein, founded in 2008 in China and based in Singapore, has quickly conquered the global fast fashion market by catering to young customers through social media.

Valued at $66 billion last year with revenues reportedly over $23 billion, the online retailer is eyeing a major initial public offering in New York potentially this year, the Wall Street Journal reported in November.

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The firm has been accused of exploiting unpaid labour, obscuring production processes and encouraging overconsumption as it faces the wrath of environmental and human rights activists.

Last month, Chinese-owned online retailer Temu sued Shein in a US court, accusing it of "mafia-style" intimidation tactics to keep the upper hand in the local market.

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Shein Japan was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday. - AFP