Shein spends over $42M upgrading supplier capabilities
A popular low-cost shopping platform best-known for fast fashion is investing in its supplier ecosystem.
Initially launched in 2023, the Shein Supplier Community Empowerment Program (SCEP) is a multi-year initiative designed to support manufacturing capability development, improve working environments, and extend support to workers and their families.
As of the end of 2025, Shein has deployed more than $42 million to support the following efforts:
Upgrading and modernizing manufacturing facilities
Through the program, more than 200 supplier factories have undergone renovation and modernization, collectively spanning approximately 5.6 million square feet. Upgraded sites are designed in accordance with Shein's design template for model factory standards, incorporating optimized layouts, streamlined material flows and configurable production spaces.
[READ MORE: Shein aligns net zero goals with global standards]
Advancing manufacturing innovation and technical capabilities
Shein operates the Center of Innovation for Garment Manufacturing (CIGM), a dedicated research, development and training hub for modern garment manufacturing. The facility focuses on developing new tools, lean production applications, and technology-enabled systems that can be adopted across supplier sites.
In 2025, the CIGM conducted around 300 vocational and technical training and certification sessions, reaching more than 13,000 participants. It also developed 10 new production tools to streamline sewing processes and improve the handling of specialized garment types. This brings the total number of tools introduced to date to more than 180.
Supporting worker well-being
As part of SCEP, Shein operates two worker-centered programs: the Spotlight program and childcare facilities:
Introduced in 2021, the Spotlight program provides financial support to suppliers' workers experiencing temporary hardship, helping cover essential costs including school fees and medical treatments. In 2025, more than 37,000 workers were able to obtain assistance through a QR-enabled digital application process that lets workers scan a QR code, which are placed at prominent locations around the participating factories, and submit their application via their mobile phones.
By the end of the year, Shein says the Spotlight program had disbursed more than $800,000 in grants providing aid to 816 families.
In addition, Shein has committed to building on-site childcare centers for its suppliers. Childcare services are offered at no charge to workers at supplier factories and offer safe learning spaces situated near factories. As of the end of 2025, a total of 30 centers were in operation, collectively serving more than 1,000 children. The program supports child development while helping families manage the time and cost demands of childcare.
