Fast-fashion rivals Shein and Forever 21 are joining up in a bid to expand their reach in the global apparel business.
The partnership will allow Shein to distribute Forever 21 products across its app and website. Shein will eventually gain access to Forever 21 stores, operating shop-in-shops and allowing people who have bought clothes from it online to return their purchases at a bricks-and-mortar Forever 21. “The powerful combination of Simon’s leadership in physical retail, Authentic’s brand development expertise, and SHEIN’s on-demand model will help us drive scalable growth and together make fashion more accessible to all,” said Donald Tang, Shein’s executive chairman.
Shein launched its marketplace in the spring in the U.S., following a successful rollout in Brazil. Having Forever 21 products sold via the marketplace adds heft to that initiative.