By Alessandro Parodi, Helen Reid and Mimosa Spencer

PARIS (Reuters) -Shein’s move into the flagship BHV in Paris has added political heat to the troubles of department stores, which are facing an existential threat from shoppers’ shift to online retailers offering ultra-fast fashion.

The Chinese budget retailer opened its first bricks-and-mortar shop in the BHV department store on the Rue de Rivoli in central Paris earlier this month, triggering an outcry from lawmakers and other retailers, who say Shein’s low-cost business model has hurt French shopping streets.

For BHV, renowned for its wide range of goods, the move was an attempt to attract younger shoppers, who have become big fans of online platforms like Shein for everything from cosmetics to fashion.

The growth of online has add

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