The Société des Grands Magasins (SGM), which owns the BHV Marais department store in downtown Paris, called the sale of the sex dolls unacceptable, but earlier praised Shein for its swift response to defuse the controversy.

The Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant Shein will open its first shop in one of Paris' historic department stores. Critics see the move as a threat to France's fashion identity.

France has initiated proceedings to suspend the operations of online fast-fashion retailer Shein after authorities found prohibited products, including childlike sex dolls and illegal weapons, being sold on its platform.

The government's threat to ban the Chinese site, which has already been sanctioned several times, is widely seen as unrealistic. Industry leaders also lament that the anti-fast-fashion bill has yet to be passed.