Shein to expand U.S. footprint with new supply chain office
A global fast fashion retailer seeks to support its rapidly growing U.S. business.
Shein, which is based in Singapore but was founded in China, is an online retailer of value-priced fashion and lifestyle items that holds the biggest share (about 40%) of fast-fashion spend in the country. Looking to effectively manage its burgeoning U.S. operation, Shein will open a Seattle-area office in downtown Bellevue, Wash.
The nearly 10,000-sq.-ft. office space at Bellevue's Key Center will serve as a hub for the company’s U.S. fulfillment and logistics, as it attempts localize and support speedier delivery times for American customers.
Shein anticipates that more than 50 employees will work from the new space by the end of 2024, and is currently hiring for a variety of positions to support logistics and distribution efforts across the U.S. Employees in the Seattle area will join a growing U.S. team of more than 1,500 corporate and warehouse employees across the country in cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Whitestown, Ind.
Shein eyes U.S. market
The company, which entered into a deal with Forever 21 in 2023, exhibited robust growth throughout the past year. In the first 10 months of 2023, Shein’s sales increased by more than 20% compared to the same period in 2022.
In addition, media reports indicated that Shein confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the U.S. stock market with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) in November 2023. Spending on fast fashion in the U.S. — one of the largest markets in the world for fast fashion and luxury shopping — grew 2% in 2023 compared to the same period the prior year, according to recent Consumer Edge data.
"The U.S. is an important market for Shein, and we are thrilled to establish a presence in the Seattle area as we continue enhancing our fulfillment process and improving the customer experience," said Andy Huang, Shein's head of U.S. fulfillment and logistics. "This expansion underscores our commitment to efficiency across our operations, and we look forward to contributing to the local community and fostering innovation in the heart of the Pacific Northwest."