Fast Retailing, the Japanese giant that owns Uniqlo and Theory, has filed a lawsuit in Japan against the operators of Shein, alleging that the Chinese fashion company copied its rounded mini bag nicknamed "Mary Poppins."
The lawsuit was filed on December 28 in the Tokyo District Court against Roadget Business Pte, Fashion Choice Pte and SHEIN JAPAN, Fast Retailing said in a statement.
The Japanese company requests "the immediate cessation of sales of imitation products and compensation for damages suffered." The crescent-shaped mini bag sells for 1,500 yen ($10.27) in Japan, according to Uniqlo's website. In Spain its price reaches 14.90 euros ($16.22).
The Uniqlo bag, which is worn across the torso, became world famous thanks to Tiktok and took first place in the ranking of the most popular products of the fashion technology company Lyst in the first quarter of 2023.
The nickname Mary Poppins refers to the 1964 musical starring Julie Andrews, and the fact that it is a very spacious model, a virtue it shares with the famous bag of the film's protagonist.
Fast Retailing, Japan's largest clothing seller, has more Uniqlo stores in China than in its domestic market. Online retailer Shein, which is said to be seeking China's permission to list in the United States, opened a permanent showroom in Tokyo in late 2022, its first in the world.
