Fast-fashion giant Shein is reportedly close to a debut on the UK stock market this summer at a value of around £50bn. Now there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write! What’s the latest on this intriguing initial public offering (IPO)? And might I be interested in snapping up Shein shares? Big sales and profits Shein was founded in China in 2008 by online marketing specialist Chris Xu. And while the Singapore-headquartered firm doesn’t sell its products in China, most of its low-cost suppliers are still based there.
In the West, Shein’s brand and popularity were significantly boosted in recent years by the ‘Shein haul’ trend. This involves shoppers showcasing online a variety of clothing and accessories purchased from — or presented by — the online retailer. These hauls are widely shared on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, giving viewers a glimpse of the latest fashion trends.
I can’t say I’ve ever engaged in a Shein haul myself. Then again, the firm’s target audience is women under 35. Last year, the company reportedly generated $2bn in on sales of $32.
2bn. It also launched a global marketplace for third-party sellers. This year, sales could hit $50bn, according to .
The marketplace model is similar to , so this could turbocharge advertising and sales growth for years. I’d like to learn more about its plans here. When might the IPO happen? There haven’t been any official announcements confirming a specific IPO date yet.
But we could be looking to.
