Disneyland Paris cancels BHV Christmas project over Shein partnership

Disneyland Paris is cancelling its Christmas project with BHV following the announcement of a partnership between the platform Shein and the Parisian department store. The theme park confirmed the news, originally reported by Le Parisien, to AFP on Thursday.

Disneyland Paris is France's most visited theme park. It was scheduled to install a pop-up shop and window displays themed around the 'It's a small world' attraction for the festive season, running from November 4 to December 31. "The conditions are no longer right to roll out the Christmas events smoothly," it told AFP.

The decision comes as the brand Shein is set to open six permanent physical stores in France from November, including one inside the Bazar de l'Hôtel de ville (BHV).

The project is the result of an agreement between Shein and Société des grands magasins (SGM), the commercial property company that operates the Parisian establishment. It has sparked fierce controversy since its announcement in early October. The Asian discount platforms are accused of unfair competition, environmental pollution and poor working conditions. Several brands had already announced their departure from BHV following this announcement.

"This partnership sends the wrong signal and should be avoided," the office of the minister of commerce, Serge Papin, told AFP on Thursday, adding that the minister wished to "find solutions to this effect". When asked on TF1 on Thursday morning whether he was "exerting pressure" and still had "hope" of preventing Shein's arrival at BHV, Papin replied "yes", without giving further details.