According to three sources cited by Reuters, Shein is preparing to hold informal investor meetings in the coming weeks ahead of its planned London initial public offering (IPO).
The China-founded online retailer is expected to conduct these informal roadshows primarily across Europe, where it will engage with large investors, answering questions and gauging their interest in the IPO.
In early June, Shein reportedly filed confidential documents with the UK’s markets regulator, starting the process for a potential London listing later this year.
The company, valued at $66 billion (£50 billion) during a fundraising round last year, began exploring a London IPO after its original plan to list in New York faced opposition from U.S. lawmakers.
Shein is targeting a launch of its IPO in the current quarter, pending approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The company’s share offering would provide a much-needed boost to London’s struggling IPO market.
So far, the UK has seen just nine new listings this year, down from 18 in 2023, according to Dealogic data, and it trails behind other European markets in terms of IPO value.
