Fast fashion retailer Shein has announced opening a pop-up store in Joburg in August.
To expand its reach in South Africa, the Chinese-run business will open the store from August 2 – 11 as an “exhibition space” at the Mall of Africa for its local customers to interact with its trendy fashion and lifestyle products.
“Bringing the Shein experience directly to the end consumer is a key part of Shein’s strategy,” the company said in an email response to Biz Community.
“Given that Shein is a digital-first company, Shein’s hugely successful pop-ups are an opportunity for our consumers to touch and feel our products, as well as to interact and engage directly with Shein’s local brand ambassadors,” concluded the company.
There is one catch. Because the store is marketed as an exhibition space, customers won’t be allowed to purchase any products.
Shoppers will be able to fit on the products and order them online using a discount from the store, Business Tech reported.
News of the pop-up comes as the retail company finds itself in an import tax conundrum alongside competitor Temu.
SARS recently announced a clampdown on online Chinese retailers who thus far managed to bypass hefty import duty taxes.
According to Business Tech, SA retailers accused these companies of abusing the de minimis rule to get clothing parcels under R500 through customs with a 20% import duty and 0% VAT.
In response to the National Clothing Retail Federation’s (NCRF) concerns, SARS said they have committed to levy the same duties on items under R500 as well.
Words: Fame Frenzy
