Fashion: Uniqlo Sues Rival Shein For Allegedly Copying Its Viral Shoulder Bag

Uniqlo has initiated legal action against Shein, a prominent Chinese fast fashion company, alleging that Shein is selling imitations of Uniqlo's popular "Mary Poppins" shoulder bag.

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Uniqlo's case against Shein

The legal case, filed in Tokyo, claims that certain Shein bags closely resemble Uniqlo's design, posing a potential threat to customer trust in the brand. Uniqlo, known for its cross-body bag that gained popularity on platforms like TikTok, is seeking an immediate halt to Shein's sales of its version of the bag and is demanding compensation for damages incurred.

The petition was filed in the Tokyo District Court against Shein Japan and two subsidiaries in late December.

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Features of Uniqlo's viral shoulder bag

Videos showcasing Uniqlo's bag have garnered millions of likes, with users demonstrating the bag's capacity by fitting various items. The bag has been compared to Mary Poppins' magical carpet bag, known for producing unexpected items in the iconic 1964 musical.

Priced at ?14.90 in the UK, Uniqlo's nylon "round mini shoulder bag" has reportedly become the brand's best-selling bag.

Shein founded in China in 2008

Shein, founded in China in 2008, experienced a surge in sales during the pandemic, driven by increased online shopping and its social media-focused marketing strategy. The company, headquartered in Singapore, employs nearly 10,000 people globally and sells its products in over 150 countries.

While Shein has faced controversy regarding its low prices, questions about environmental practices, and accusations of copying designs from smaller businesses, it maintains that it produces clothes in small batches, reducing waste, and upholds a zero-tolerance policy on forced labor.

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First Uniqlo store opened in 1984

Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo and Japan's largest clothing seller, opened the first Uniqlo store in 1984 and now operates approximately 2,500 stores globally, including many in China.

In its latest financial update, Fast Retailing reported profits of 146.7 billion yen (?791 million) in the three months ending November, reflecting growth fueled by overseas sales. Despite projecting a record profit for 2024, the company's executives acknowledged that climate change could pose challenges for sales of items like fleece jackets.