Latest news with #VéroniqueLouwagie
Fashion Network
09-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
French government announces new measures to boost city-centre retail
Commercial vacancy rates have risen from 7% to 11% in French city centres in 10 years, according to the CODATA research institute, and from 6% to 14% in shopping streets since 2010, according to figures presented by the Ministry of the Interior, leading the French government to introduce new measures. On July 8, at the Ministry of the Economy and Finance in Paris, Minister of Trade Véronique Louwagie presented a package of measures to businesses, local authorities, embassy envoys, and other attendees of the 'Transformation of city-centre stores' event. Louwagie also announced the opening of a round of consultations on the Commercial City Charter. The French government has introduced a package of measures designed to bring new impetus to city-centre retail - Shutterstock In terms of policies, Louwagie said that the government wants to act in favour of city-centre retail, explaining that retail in rural and suburban areas has benefited from ad hoc support in recent years. 'Local retailers play a key role in the heart of our city and town centres, as drivers of the local economy and elements of community cohesion,' Louwagie said in a statement. '[Local retail] is facing major challenges, first and foremost commercial vacancy rates, which contribute to devitalise local areas. Public authorities, retail associations and chambers of commerce all need to act together to address these challenges. Our collective intention is clear: To revive our city centres while building the retail of tomorrow,' she added. What does the government intend to do, with local government elections looming in 2026? No investment figures were put forward, but the plan hinges on four elements. The funding or co-funding by local chambers of commerce of retail manager positions; the setting up of a working group within the National Trade Council (CNC) focusing on city-centre retail and vacancy rates from the autumn; as a trial, vacant premises will be made temporarily available locally this year to local producers and artisans during the 'month of buying French'; finally, work will start on the simplification and rationalisation of the taxes on unutilised commercial sites. The latter measure should make it possible to reduce vacancy rates. In addition, the government will work on measures for facilitating the handover and acquisition of businesses, and for encouraging retailers to tap the opportunities afforded by AI. The latter is a significant challenge, as most retailers in France haven't yet gone digital. With regards to the Commercial City Charter, its scope is seemingly set to be defined by the consultation that the government is initiating with the various stakeholders in city-centre retail. The government indicated that 'this charter is based on the mainstays of commercial growth: Accessibility, sustainability, commercial activation, security, visibility, jobs and training, urban planning and local trade governance. For each of these elements, the municipalities that will become charter signatories will be able to set reciprocal commitments with local trade associations in order to work toward a framework conducive to local economic development.' For France's future mayors and the retailers in their towns, this will be akin to a commitment to using a common language to better understand each other.
Fashion Network
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Shein faces government crackdown in France as minister confirms ongoing investigations
The French government has sent a clear signal to the ultra-fast fashion sector. On July 3, Trade Minister Véronique Louwagie announced that Shein had been fined €40 million for deceptive business practices. Speaking at the annual event hosted by Alliance du Commerce—an organization representing 16,000 stores and 150,000 retail workers in France—Louwagie addressed an audience of retail chain and department store representatives in Paris. During the morning's discussions, concerns were repeatedly raised about the competitive imbalance posed by ultra-fast fashion players who operate outside the regulatory frameworks that European retailers must follow. The fine issued against Shein followed an investigation by the DGCCRF (Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control). Louwagie added that 'other investigations are underway,' although she declined to provide further details. Responding to frustration within the retail sector over the perceived disparity in enforcement between domestic and foreign platforms, Louwagie announced new enforcement measures. 'I've asked for stricter controls on foreign platforms—specifically, a threefold increase in product sampling to verify compliance,' she said. 'We're also implementing full-spectrum checks on all elements involved.' She noted that, in coordination with Customs Minister Amélie de Montchalin, a new protocol would ensure systematic information sharing between customs authorities and the DGCCRF regarding incoming parcels. Louwagie emphasized that enforcement is also expanding at the European level. 'At the end of 2024, we began verifying platform compliance with the Digital Services Act,' she explained. 'A specific procedure has been initiated by the European Commission targeting Temu, and a separate investigation is underway concerning Shein. France, along with Germany and Ireland, is challenging multiple practices that violate EU regulations. Shein has 30 days to respond.' Amid calls to replicate the 2021 delisting of the e-commerce site Wish, the minister acknowledged that such action remains an option. 'Wish failed to comply with official injunctions, which led to its removal. While today's platforms often respond to enforcement measures, I'm pushing the European Commission to revise the legal framework so that platforms can still be delisted under certain conditions—even if they cooperate.' Highlighting the scale of the issue, Louwagie noted that 800 million parcels valued under €150 enter France annually, part of a broader influx of 1.5 billion parcels into the country and 4.5 billion across Europe. The stakes, she said, are high—not only in terms of consumer health and safety but also in protecting European businesses from unfair competition. She reiterated the government's support for ending customs exemptions on low-value imports. After months of scrutiny surrounding Shein's business model and its impact on the local economy, the July 3 announcement marks a significant turning point. Whether it paves the way for lasting structural change across the industry remains to be seen.
Fashion Network
03-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Shein faces government crackdown in France as minister confirms ongoing investigations
The French government has sent a clear signal to the ultra-fast fashion sector. On July 3, Trade Minister Véronique Louwagie announced that Shein had been fined €40 million for deceptive business practices. Speaking at the annual event hosted by Alliance du Commerce—an organization representing 16,000 stores and 150,000 retail workers in France—Louwagie addressed an audience of retail chain and department store representatives in Paris. During the morning's discussions, concerns were repeatedly raised about the competitive imbalance posed by ultra-fast fashion players who operate outside the regulatory frameworks that European retailers must follow. The fine issued against Shein followed an investigation by the DGCCRF (Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control). Louwagie added that 'other investigations are underway,' although she declined to provide further details. Responding to frustration within the retail sector over the perceived disparity in enforcement between domestic and foreign platforms, Louwagie announced new enforcement measures. 'I've asked for stricter controls on foreign platforms—specifically, a threefold increase in product sampling to verify compliance,' she said. 'We're also implementing full-spectrum checks on all elements involved.' She noted that, in coordination with Customs Minister Amélie de Montchalin, a new protocol would ensure systematic information sharing between customs authorities and the DGCCRF regarding incoming parcels. Louwagie emphasized that enforcement is also expanding at the European level. 'At the end of 2024, we began verifying platform compliance with the Digital Services Act,' she explained. 'A specific procedure has been initiated by the European Commission targeting Temu, and a separate investigation is underway concerning Shein. France, along with Germany and Ireland, is challenging multiple practices that violate EU regulations. Shein has 30 days to respond.' Amid calls to replicate the 2021 delisting of the e-commerce site Wish, the minister acknowledged that such action remains an option. 'Wish failed to comply with official injunctions, which led to its removal. While today's platforms often respond to enforcement measures, I'm pushing the European Commission to revise the legal framework so that platforms can still be delisted under certain conditions—even if they cooperate.' Highlighting the scale of the issue, Louwagie noted that 800 million parcels valued under €150 enter France annually, part of a broader influx of 1.5 billion parcels into the country and 4.5 billion across Europe. The stakes, she said, are high—not only in terms of consumer health and safety but also in protecting European businesses from unfair competition. She reiterated the government's support for ending customs exemptions on low-value imports. After months of scrutiny surrounding Shein's business model and its impact on the local economy, the July 3 announcement marks a significant turning point. Whether it paves the way for lasting structural change across the industry remains to be seen.
Fashion Network
03-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Shein faces government crackdown in France as minister confirms ongoing investigations
The French government has sent a clear signal to the ultra-fast fashion sector. On July 3, Trade Minister Véronique Louwagie announced that Shein had been fined €40 million for deceptive business practices. Speaking at the annual event hosted by Alliance du Commerce—an organization representing 16,000 stores and 150,000 retail workers in France—Louwagie addressed an audience of retail chain and department store representatives in Paris. During the morning's discussions, concerns were repeatedly raised about the competitive imbalance posed by ultra-fast fashion players who operate outside the regulatory frameworks that European retailers must follow. The fine issued against Shein followed an investigation by the DGCCRF (Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control). Louwagie added that 'other investigations are underway,' although she declined to provide further details. Responding to frustration within the retail sector over the perceived disparity in enforcement between domestic and foreign platforms, Louwagie announced new enforcement measures. 'I've asked for stricter controls on foreign platforms—specifically, a threefold increase in product sampling to verify compliance,' she said. 'We're also implementing full-spectrum checks on all elements involved.' She noted that, in coordination with Customs Minister Amélie de Montchalin, a new protocol would ensure systematic information sharing between customs authorities and the DGCCRF regarding incoming parcels. Louwagie emphasized that enforcement is also expanding at the European level. 'At the end of 2024, we began verifying platform compliance with the Digital Services Act,' she explained. 'A specific procedure has been initiated by the European Commission targeting Temu, and a separate investigation is underway concerning Shein. France, along with Germany and Ireland, is challenging multiple practices that violate EU regulations. Shein has 30 days to respond.' Amid calls to replicate the 2021 delisting of the e-commerce site Wish, the minister acknowledged that such action remains an option. 'Wish failed to comply with official injunctions, which led to its removal. While today's platforms often respond to enforcement measures, I'm pushing the European Commission to revise the legal framework so that platforms can still be delisted under certain conditions—even if they cooperate.' Highlighting the scale of the issue, Louwagie noted that 800 million parcels valued under €150 enter France annually, part of a broader influx of 1.5 billion parcels into the country and 4.5 billion across Europe. The stakes, she said, are high—not only in terms of consumer health and safety but also in protecting European businesses from unfair competition. She reiterated the government's support for ending customs exemptions on low-value imports. After months of scrutiny surrounding Shein's business model and its impact on the local economy, the July 3 announcement marks a significant turning point. Whether it paves the way for lasting structural change across the industry remains to be seen.
Fashion Network
03-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Shein faces government crackdown in France as minister confirms ongoing investigations
The French government has sent a clear signal to the ultra-fast fashion sector. On July 3, Trade Minister Véronique Louwagie announced that Shein had been fined €40 million for deceptive business practices. Speaking at the annual event hosted by Alliance du Commerce —an organization representing 16,000 stores and 150,000 retail workers in France—Louwagie addressed an audience of retail chain and department store representatives in Paris. During the morning's discussions, concerns were repeatedly raised about the competitive imbalance posed by ultra-fast fashion players who operate outside the regulatory frameworks that European retailers must follow. The fine issued against Shein followed an investigation by the DGCCRF (Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control). Louwagie added that 'other investigations are underway,' although she declined to provide further details. Responding to frustration within the retail sector over the perceived disparity in enforcement between domestic and foreign platforms, Louwagie announced new enforcement measures. 'I've asked for stricter controls on foreign platforms—specifically, a threefold increase in product sampling to verify compliance,' she said. 'We're also implementing full-spectrum checks on all elements involved.' She noted that, in coordination with Customs Minister Amélie de Montchalin, a new protocol would ensure systematic information sharing between customs authorities and the DGCCRF regarding incoming parcels. Louwagie emphasized that enforcement is also expanding at the European level. 'At the end of 2024, we began verifying platform compliance with the Digital Services Act,' she explained. 'A specific procedure has been initiated by the European Commission targeting Temu, and a separate investigation is underway concerning Shein. France, along with Germany and Ireland, is challenging multiple practices that violate EU regulations. Shein has 30 days to respond.' Amid calls to replicate the 2021 delisting of the e-commerce site Wish, the minister acknowledged that such action remains an option. 'Wish failed to comply with official injunctions, which led to its removal. While today's platforms often respond to enforcement measures, I'm pushing the European Commission to revise the legal framework so that platforms can still be delisted under certain conditions—even if they cooperate.' Highlighting the scale of the issue, Louwagie noted that 800 million parcels valued under €150 enter France annually, part of a broader influx of 1.5 billion parcels into the country and 4.5 billion across Europe. The stakes, she said, are high—not only in terms of consumer health and safety but also in protecting European businesses from unfair competition. She reiterated the government's support for ending customs exemptions on low-value imports. After months of scrutiny surrounding Shein's business model and its impact on the local economy, the July 3 announcement marks a significant turning point. Whether it paves the way for lasting structural change across the industry remains to be seen.
