Shein, Reliance to scale up Indian supplier base

The move aims to cut dependence on China amidst U.S. tariffs.

Shein and Reliance Retail plan to expand their Indian supplier base from 150 to 1,000 within a year and begin exporting India-made Shein clothing globally within six to 12 months, sources told Reuters.

The report said the move is part of a broader strategy to shift supply chains away from China, amidst rising tariffs in the U.S.—Shein’s largest market.

Shein is working with Reliance to fast-track production in India for global sales, with an initial focus on the U.S. and U.K. markets.

It said that its partnership with Reliance is limited to a brand licensing deal for domestic sales. Reliance did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Shein launched in India in 2018 but was banned in 2020 along with other Chinese apps. It returned in February under a licensing deal with Reliance Retail, which now operates SheinIndia.in, selling clothes produced in local factories. In contrast, most Shein products globally are still sourced from China.

Reliance has signed 150 garment manufacturers and is in talks with 400 more, the report noted. The aim is to hit 1,000 suppliers to meet both local and global demand. The companies are assessing whether Indian factories can replicate Shein’s bestsellers at a lower cost.

Reliance also plans to support suppliers with investment, machinery imports, and fabric sourcing—particularly in synthetic textiles, where India currently lacks expertise.