Online sales steal the ‘shein’ from downtown vendors

Despite the growing influence of fast-fashion giant Shein, downtown Kingston vendors say they aren't going anywhere, insisting that their loyal customers will keep coming back for the in-person shopping experience.

"Downtown will always have its customers, no matter how much people are shopping on Shein," said popular vendor and rising dancehall artiste Deborah 'Debbie Burp' Darby.

"Christmas come once a year, and me and mi friend dem out here a sell," she said, gesturing towards a row of colourful stalls packed with baby clothes, comforters and flowers. "I don't really think it (Shein) affect the sales down here. Shein a do them thing, and we a do our thing inna town. Because Shein cheap, people will go online and order, but 'down a town' a 'down a town.'"

Darby, like many of her peers, acknowledges Shein's allure, but believes the tangible shopping experience trumps convenience. "Me buy things offa Shein too, enuh, but [to buy] traditional things, yuh haffi come dung a town."

For vendors like Princess, who has been selling downtown for over four decades, Shein is just more competition in an already-crowded marketplace.

"Shein sell a lot of decoration things weh people a buy, but the Chiney man sell it too, so we always have competition," she explained as she arranged her flower display. "Me have my customers weh nah leave me out. Them want unique things, and sometimes Shein things nuh really nice. It nuh really worth it, fi how people a kill up themselves."

But Kadeen 'Guzzo Boss' Richards, who sells on Beckford Street, said there is a financial strain on local vendors due to Shein's low prices.

"The Christmas nuh so bright like one time because we have an online competition right now. But you see with that online competition, it is really for the poor," Richards explained. "Shein sell one suit for just US$15 -- about J$2,400 -- and most of the higglers buy that same suit and want $9,000 for it. Come on now, man. Good God." Still, Richards finds ways to adapt.

"As Kadeen Kid's Feet, I buy a slippers for $1,000; I will sell it back for $1,500. Why? Low margin, quick profit, because I can sell a high volume of $1,500 for the day."

Part of the debate over Shein's products is the quality of the goods. Vendors like Richards argue that the offerings often fail to meet customer expectations.

"Shein is like puss in a bag -- it look good, but what about the quality?" she said. "That is why most of us still a survive, as well as customer service that we build with people who will not turn their backs."