Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion brand, is making a comeback in India nearly five years after its ban. This time, it is re-entering through a partnership with Reliance Retail, with the app now available on both the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.  

Unlike its previous operation, Shein will not run the business directly. Reliance Retail will have full control over the Shein India Fast Fashion app, handling all operations and customer data. Shein’s role will be limited to providing technology support, including the app and backend systems, without any ownership or direct involvement in sales.  

Currently, Shein offers deliveries in major cities such as New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, with plans for nationwide expansion. To attract shoppers, it has waived delivery fees. The company’s products, including dresses starting at 199, will be designed and manufactured locally, supporting India’s push to boost domestic textile production.  

A crucial condition of this agreement is that all customer data must remain in India, and Shein will have no access to it. This addresses previous security concerns, which were among the reasons for the brand’s initial ban.

The Indian government approved the deal after multiple ministries, including IT and Home Affairs, conducted extensive security checks. Shein must also undergo regular cybersecurity audits by government-approved firms to ensure compliance.  

Since 2020, India has banned over 300 Chinese apps due to security concerns and geopolitical tensions. In 2019, the government had seized Shein shipments for misdeclaring the value of bulk imports from China, leading to a partial shutdown of its operations in July that year.