Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has re-entered the Indian market through a dedicated mobile app in partnership with Reliance Retail nearly five years after its ban in the country due to diplomatic tensions.
The Shein app, developed and managed by Reliance, is now available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. Currently, Shein is delivering orders to Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane, with plans to expand nationwide soon, according to the app.
Shein was previously banned in India in 2020 as part of the government’s crackdown on Chinese apps, citing data security concerns amid escalating tensions between India and China. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had restricted Shein along with over 50 other apps, including TikTok.
In 2023, Shein partnered with Reliance Retail under a licensing agreement, allowing Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, through its wholly owned subsidiary, to fully own and control Shein’s operations in India.
Founded in 2008 as ZZKKO in Nanjing, China, by entrepreneur Chris Xu, Shein initially focused on women’s fashion. The brand underwent multiple transformations, rebranding as SheInside in 2011 before adopting its current name, Shein, in 2015. Now headquartered in Singapore, the fashion retailer operates in over 150 countries worldwide.
