Shein, the Chinese-based online retailer specializing in fast fashion, has experienced a remarkable surge in profits, surpassing $2 billion (£1.6 billion) and is currently awaiting approval for a stock market listing either in New York or London.
Utilizing social media extensively for product promotion, Shein achieved approximately $45 billion in sales last year, positioning itself as one of the most profitable fashion companies globally, even outperforming industry giants like H&M, Primark, and Next. Despite this success, Inditex, the Spanish parent company of Zara, Bershka, and Massimo Dutti, maintains higher profits at €6.9 billion (£5.9 billion) for the previous year.
There have been discussions between the UK Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, and Shein’s CEO, Donald Tang, regarding a potential listing on the London Stock Exchange, considering concerns about approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission for its initial public offering (IPO). If the listing proceeds, it could become one of London’s most significant corporate listings, potentially valued at up to $90 billion.
Shein’s rapid ascent, including its acquisition of the Missguided online brand from Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group last year, has intensified competition in the UK online fashion market, particularly impacting companies like Asos and Boohoo, which are already navigating challenges following the pandemic-induced surge in online shopping.
One factor contributing to Shein’s success is its direct shipment of goods from China to customers in markets like the UK and US, which results in reduced tax burdens. However, this strategy has raised concerns and calls for tax rule reforms.
Founded by entrepreneur Chris Xu, Shein primarily operates from China while selling its products globally. Despite fluctuations in valuation, reaching $100 billion in April 2022 but dropping to just over $60 billion by May of the same year, Shein remains optimistic about achieving a valuation of up to $90 billion with its potential public listing. The company declined to provide comments on these matters.
This success story of Shein, spearheaded by entrepreneur Chris Xu, has been marked by significant fluctuations in valuation. Initially soaring to $100 billion in April 2022, the valuation saw a dip to just over $60 billion by May of the same year. However, despite these fluctuations, Shein remains optimistic about potentially achieving a valuation of up to $90 billion with its proposed public listing. Nonetheless, the company has chosen to remain silent on these matters when approached for comment.
Shein’s rise to prominence has not been without controversy. While its direct shipment strategy has proven effective in reducing taxes and streamlining operations, it has sparked debates and calls for tax reform. Additionally, its aggressive expansion and acquisition tactics have intensified competition in the online fashion market, putting pressure on established players like Asos and Boohoo, particularly in the wake of the pandemic-induced surge in online shopping.
Despite facing regulatory hurdles, particularly in the context of its proposed listing on the London Stock Exchange, Shein’s remarkable growth trajectory and financial performance underscore its position as one of the most formidable players in the global fashion industry. As it navigates the complexities of international markets and regulatory environments, the future of Shein remains a topic of keen interest and speculation within the business community.
