Protests erupt at the new Shein store in Paris with demonstrators ejected – video

As Shein opened its new store in BHV department store in Paris, protesters gathered to denounce the online fast-fashion retailer, saying it was complicit of Uyghur genocide and child sexual crimes. Allegations have arisen that the retailer’s supply chain in China includes items produced by Uyghur forced labour. Shein is also under investigation by French authorities due to the sale of child-like sex dolls on its website. The company has stated that they are ready to fully cooperate with the authorities. Additionally, last year Shein answered that they have a…

From the archive: Bicycle graveyards: why do so many bikes end up underwater? – podcast

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: every year, thousands of bikes are tossed into rivers, ponds, lakes and canals. What’s behind this mass drowning? By Jody Rosen. Read by Masud Milas The Guardian

London losing out to Paris and Milan over tourist shopping, says Burberry

Burberry has reported a sales surge of almost a fifth thanks to a bounceback in China, but the luxury British fashion brand has warned that London is losing out to rivals such as Paris and Milan, which are enjoying a stronger tourist shopping boom. The British fashion brand, best known for its signature check bags and raincoats, said that global sales grew 18% year on year to £589m in the quarter to 1 July – its fastest growth rate in two years. The company pointed to a strong sales recovery…

‘Ordinary’ Chinese vase valued at €2,000 sells for almost €8m after bidding war

An “ordinary” Chinese vase put up for auction in France and valued at €2,000 (£1,745) has sold for almost €8m after a ferocious bidding war among buyers convinced it was a rare 18th-century artefact. At the sale in Fontainebleau near Paris, auctioneers were astonished as the offers from about 30 mainly Chinese bidders kept on coming. When the hammer fell the vase had been sold for €7.7m – almost 4,000 times its estimated value. With the seller’s fees, the final purchase price was €9.12m. The tianqiuping-style porcelain was put in…