French Economy Minister Roland Lescure said on Monday that he would block access to Shein in France if the online retailer resumed selling child-like sex dolls — products the Asian e-commerce company says it has already removed from its site.
Roland Lescure – AFP
“If such behavior is repeated, we will be within our rights — and I will request — to ban access to the Shein platform in the French market,” Lescure said on BFMTV and RMC.
“For terrorist acts, drug trafficking, and items of a child pornographic nature, the government can request a ban on access to the French market if such behavior occurs again or if the items in question are not removed within 24 hours,” he added.
“These horrendous items are illegal, and there will be a judicial investigation,” he said.
On Saturday, France’s consumer fraud watchdog, the DGCCRF, announced that it had reported the sale of “child-like sex dolls” to the courts after finding them listed on Shein’s website. Shein, which plans to open its first permanent physical store in Paris on Wednesday, confirmed that it had removed the listings.
Shein stated that “the products in question were immediately removed from the platform as soon as we became aware of these serious breaches,” emphasizing its “zero-tolerance policy toward any content or product that contravenes our internal policies or applicable laws.” The company’s management said the items were listed through its third-party marketplace, which it is now “completely reviewing to identify and remove any similar products that other sellers might post.”
The sale of illegal products on online marketplaces — and how authorities oversee them — remains a crucial issue.
“It’s not just Shein; there are many other platforms, both well-known and lesser-known, and we have been alerted to other cases,” said Sarah El Haïry, High Commissioner for Children, on franceinfo on Monday.
Lescure also acknowledged that French law could be bypassed through the use of VPNs. “France does not have the means to combat this at this stage,” he conceded.
Founded in China, Shein has established a massive global presence in fast fashion and has become a major player in online retail since entering the French market in 2015. The company often faces criticism for alleged unfair competition, environmental harm, and poor working conditions.
Despite public backlash, Shein plans to open its first permanent store on Wednesday inside BHV Marais, the historic Paris department store, in a space exceeding 1,000 square meters.
“I walked along Rue de Rivoli this weekend and saw Shein’s banners all along the shopfront — it’s provocation,” Lescure said.
Dominique Schelcher, CEO of Coopérative U, said on X that he hoped “the discovery of child-like sex dolls on the Shein site by the DGCCRF will lead to the site being formally CLOSED by the authorities as soon as possible.” He also urged BHV to abandon the project.
With AFP
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Walmart CEO Doug McMillon will retire next year after more than a decade at the helm, capping a period when he reshaped the big-box retailer into a technology-driven powerhouse whose shares have consistently outperformed the broader market.
John Furner – Reuters
McMillon, 59, will be replaced by U.S. division chief CEO John Furner, 51, a veteran with three decades at the company, Walmart said.
Walmart’s shares cut earlier losses to trade down about 0.6%. McMillon’s decision to step down came sooner than anticipated, though his tenure at the time of his expected Jan. 31 retirement makes him one of the longest-serving CEOs in company history.
“Given that Mr. McMillon was unequivocally Walmart’s best CEO since the company’s founder in Sam Walton … the announcement will likely cause some anxiety by shareholders, particularly since the change was a bit earlier-than-anticipated,” said Chuck Grom, an analyst with Gordon Haskett.
Walmart said in a statement McMillon’s retirement was a planned transition.
McMillon took over from Mike Duke in February 2014, when the company was playing catch-up to online sales giant Amazon.com that was quickly capturing a lion’s share of the booming consumer demand for e-commerce.
McMillon tapped into the company’s vast store footprint to speed up deliveries, incorporate automation technology at warehouses, and expanded its marketplace and advertising business to boost income.
Since he took the job, Walmart’s value has more than tripled to its current $817 billion as he ramped up e-commerce efforts.
When he took over, the company’s global e-commerce sales had just surpassed $10 billion; in its most recent fiscal year ended in January, that figure had surpassed $120 billion.
“Walmart has performed very well under Doug’s tenure,” said Neil Saunders, Managing Director of Retail at GlobalData.
“It has become a way more influential e-commerce player, has integrated new technologies to improve efficiency, and has pushed into new areas like retail media.”
McMillon will continue as an adviser through Jan. 31, 2027. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer’s stock has risen 323% since he took over, outperforming the S&P 500 index.
McMillon, who joined Walmart in 1984 as an hourly associate, has served in leadership roles at all three Walmart divisions: U.S., International and Sam’s Club. He rose through the ranks to become CEO of Walmart in February 2014, replacing Mike Duke.
Furner has followed a similar career trajectory at the country’s largest private employer, joining as an hourly associate, and also heading Sam’s Club and Walmart U.S. in his three decades at the company. “Furner is taking over one of the most desirable seats in corporate America and, in our view, just needs to continue to execute against the game plan they have already put in place,” said Truist Securities analyst Scot Ciccarelli.
He takes the helm as Walmart starts to adopt artificial intelligence tools that are changing how retailers operate and interact with customers.
Furner was “uniquely capable of leading the company through this next AI-driven transformation,” McMillon said in a statement.’
The list of people who have held Walmart’s top job since its 1962 founding is a short one; Furner will be only the sixth person to lead the company, with each of the previous CEOs lasting six years or more.
“Doug McMillon has been a terrific CEO, leading Walmart’s transformation into an even bigger and stronger retail powerhouse fueled by technology,” said Joseph Feldman, an analyst with Telsey Advisory Group.
“John Furner is the logical choice to be the next CEO. He is a lifer at Walmart who started as an hourly associate in 1993, so he is a good cultural fit.”
The move is the latest in a string of leadership changes sweeping through retail as companies tackle tariff pressures, an uncertain economy and choppy consumer spending. Kohl’s, Kroger, and Target have named new CEOs this year.
Footwear label Autry is set to mark the opening of its new Milan flagship with a cultural moment during Milano Music Week, transforming its San Babila boutique into a hybrid listening bar and club for a one-night event.
Autry marks Milan flagship opening with Music Week installation. – Autry
As an official partner of Milano Music Week, Autry will reveal a mirrored box installation, in Piazza San Babila, which will project a digital countdown for two days, leading up to the event.
Then, at 6 p.m. on November 18, the cube is scheduled to open and reveal sets from an international lineup of DJs. Miami-based duo Miguelle & Tons will headline alongside Italian DJ and producer Silvie Loto. Mosa Klub and Mario Agliata will open and close the night.
The square will transform into an inclusive listening bar and open-air club, where guests will be offered silver-wrapped bites and custom cocktails, in line with Autry’s deep and intrinsic links with music and culture.
“Milan embodies the spirit of design and creativity that defines Autry’s DNA. As a partner to Milano Music Week, Autry’s one night only celebrates the city’s energy, our new flagship store, as well as a shared rhythm, one that connects people through emotion, culture, and style, true to the brand’s values of creativity and community,” said Roberta Benaglia, CEO of Style Capital and executive chairwoman of Autry.
Autry’s San Babila flagship opened in October and reflects the brand’s cosmopolitan identity and enduring ties to sport and style.
The deal marks the first time the beauty giant has invested in a Latin American brand, a move that signals its growing focus on local entrepreneurship and innovation. The investment was made through Estée Lauder’s New Incubation Ventures arm, which focuses on emerging beauty brands and new business models poised to influence the future of the industry.
“Fragrance excellence and craftsmanship are at the heart of The Estée Lauder Companies, and they drive our passion for discovering new voices in beauty,” said Stéphane de La Faverie, president and chief executive officer, The Estée Lauder Companies.
“Mexico has become a vibrant hub of fragrance innovation — a place where craftsmanship and cultural relevance come together in remarkable ways. Xinú embodies this spirit, redefining contemporary luxury through authenticity, artistry, and storytelling. As a minority investor, we are proud to support Xinú as it continues to grow and share the rich creativity and spirit of Mexico and Latin America with the world. This investment reflects our deep belief in the region’s extraordinary talent and our ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging brands that are shaping the future of fragrance and beauty.”
Founded in 2017, Xinú is recognized for its sensorial retail spaces, sustainable design ethos, and products that honor heritage while reimagining modern luxury. The brand is led by three founders whose combined expertise forms Xinú’s distinct identity.
Verónica Peña leads the olfactory vision, while Ignacio Cadena brings a bold aesthetic that defines the brand’s visual language. Lastly, Héctor Esrawe, one of Latin America’s most celebrated industrial designers, contributes a meticulous eye for detail and an avant-garde sensibility that reinforces the brand’s authenticity.
“This investment represents a significant milestone for Xinú and marks the beginning of a new chapter for our brand — a pivotal moment where our unique vision for a fragrance company meets global possibility,” said Peña.
“Together with The Estée Lauder Companies, we can boldly move forward in our aim to push the boundaries of what fragrance can be: a medium of storytelling, a vessel for culture, and a deeply human experience that transcends borders.”
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