Shein targets early next year for London Stock Exchange float

According to The Sunday Times, Shein is preparing for an investor roadshow in the coming weeks, collaborating with US investment banks Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley.

Shein founder Chris Xu and executive chair Donald Tang have initiated meetings with UK investors, while also reaching out to US-based stakeholders interested in British retail. A draft prospectus is circulating among select parties but has not been publicly released.

The Singapore-based company’s decision to list in London comes after encountering hurdles with US regulators, which demanded a public filing – a level of transparency Shein was reluctant to provide. If successful, the IPO could become one of the London Stock Exchange’s largest deals in recent years.

However, Shein’s listing plans face scrutiny over environmental, social and governance issues, particularly regarding labour practices and supply chain policies. Politicians are calling for increased examination, while competitors argue that Shein benefits unfairly from avoiding UK duties and VAT.

The IPO process has been complicated by regulatory delays from the Chinese government, possibly due to new overseas listing rules or concerns about Shein’s exposure.

Despite its Singapore headquarters, Shein’s primary operations remain in China, adding layers of complexity. The potential for increased US-China trade tensions under a possible Trump presidency further complicates the company’s listing prospects.