Shein in talks with LSE about possible London listing - report

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has reportedly held talks with the London Stock Exchange about the possibility of staging a blockbuster public listing in the UK, even after filing documents paving the way for a flotation in New York.

According to Sky News, the company’s executive chairman, Donald Tang, met executives from the LSE and other stakeholders in the UK economy during a visit to London last week.

City sources told Sky that talks were focused on the possibility of a listing in the UK, with one saying that the Singapore-based behemoth was continuing to explore various options for raising capital through a public share sale.

A US listing remains the likeliest outcome for Shein, according to bankers and people close to the company, while a dual listing in both financial centres is said to be unlikely.

Its confidential filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, first-reported last month by the Wall Street Journal, suggested that if it proceeded, a New York float would be among the largest in the last decade.

Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley have been appointed to work on the deal.

Shein's presence in Britain has grown in recent months after Shein struck a deal to buy fast-fashion company Missguided from Mike Ashley's Frasers Group.

Shein now operates in more than 150 countries.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: "The business pages have been rife with speculation that online fashion giant Shein might consider London for its impending IPO.

"There are reports that talks were held last week between the two parties and there will undoubtedly be a lot of investor interest in the company which has become a staple in many teenage wardrobes.

"Shein has slowly built up a massive global customer base and its acquisition of Missguided from Frasers Group demonstrated its keen interest in increasing market share in the UK.

"London would be a good fit for the company which is a clothing retailer at its core, albeit one wrapped up in some pretty serious tech nous.

"But the big question is would Shein be a boon or a potential liability for London? A public listing is likely to shine an intense spotlight on its supply chain and all the ethical and environmental issues that surround fast fashion generally.

"The potential listing could be a case of damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t for London. The London Stock Exchange has taken a lot of stick over the past year as a number of stalwarts have jumped ship in search of higher valuations."