Asian fast-fashion giant Shein has chosen France as the location to open its first permanent physical outlets.

It will occupy concessions in department stores first in Paris, followed by five others in certain cities.

Shein told the BBC on Thursday that France’s influential global fashion market was a natural choice as the firm’s test-bed for physical stores.

The fashion brand has become best known for its discounted and trendy clothes, but has drawn criticism over its environmental impact and working conditions.

The company has previously opened temporary pop-up stores in cities such as Madrid and Paris, but has never operated a permanent physical shop.