Uniqlo Co. has filed a lawsuit against rival retailer Shein, alleging that the Chinese-founded, Singapore-based company produced a shoulder bag that unlawfully imitates Uniqlo’s popular “Mary Poppins” Round Mini Shoulder Bag. Uniqlo claims that Shein’s version is an inferior copy that infringes on its intellectual property.
The lawsuit, filed on December 28 in Tokyo District Court by Fast Retailing Co., Uniqlo’s parent company, demands that Shein cease selling the allegedly copied product and seeks damages of approximately 160 million yen ($1.1 million).
The suit targets Shein and its affiliated companies—Roadget Business Pte, Fashion Choice Pte, and Shein Japan Co.
Uniqlo’s Round Mini Shoulder Bag has gained widespread popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms, where users praise its spacious yet compact design.
The bag’s nickname, the “Mary Poppins bag,” alludes to the 1964 musical in which the character Mary Poppins, played by Julie Andrews, pulls an array of items from her magical carpet bag.
Uniqlo contends that Shein’s version, which it describes as of lower quality, could damage consumer trust in the Uniqlo brand.
The Uniqlo bag is marketed as durable, water-resistant, and includes inner pockets. In Japan, it retails for 1,500 yen, and in the U.S., it is priced at $19.90, available in various colors like light blue and violet.
Shein, which primarily reaches customers through its app and prides itself on using digital technology to quickly adapt to consumer preferences, stated that it is investigating the claims.
“Shein respects the intellectual property rights of others and takes all claims of infringement seriously,” the company said in an email statement on Thursday.
Uniqlo, with nearly 2,500 stores across 26 global markets, is well-known for its affordable casual clothing, including its popular HeatTech thermal underwear line.
Meanwhile, Shein has built its business on rapidly responding to fashion trends and minimizing waste, reaching a vast customer base through its digital platform.
