How fast fashion giant SHEIN uses dark patterns to push overconsumption: evidence from BEUC members

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How fast fashion giant SHEIN uses dark patterns to push overconsumption: evidence from BEUC members

Published on 05.06.2025

About this publication

The fast fashion industry uses dark patterns (manipulative techniques) to prompt consumers into buying more and more clothing. This costs them money, exposes them to harmful chemicals, and has a major environmental and societal impact. SHEIN has rapidly emerged as the most egregious example of the use of dark patterns. The following research from BEUC members highlights how consumers are being deceived by these practices into overconsumption.

The full report is available on this page.

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The fast fashion industry uses dark patterns (manipulative techniques) to prompt consumers into buying more and more clothing. This costs them money, exposes them to harmful chemicals, and has a major environmental and societal impact. SHEIN has rapidly emerged as the most egregious example of the use of dark patterns. The following research from BEUC members highlights how consumers are being deceived by these practices into overconsumption.