Cheaper than chips – how Shein changed fashion

Chinese fashion site Shein sells cheap clothes to a massive global audience. And the choice is staggering – everyday a 6,000 new items arrive on the site and buyers can choose from over half a million individual pieces, from tops that cost a few euro to dresses that are cheaper than anything the high street has to offer.

And to ensure browsers – mostly young women looking for the very latest looks – aren’t baffled by all this choice, a sophisticated algorithm delivers to their screens exactly what they want at the price they want to pay.

But how does it work? In this podcast we hear how Shein is coming under increased scrutiny – not least because the company is prepping for an IPO on the London Stock Exchange.

Iman Amrani, who presented an eye-opening Channel 4 documentary on Shein, explains the horrendous conditions endured by workers in factories that supply the megabrand, with pay as little as 2p an item and targets of 500 items a day. While two Shein shoppers explain the attraction.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.