Shein's London IPO could happen as early as April - report

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein could push ahead with its controversial London IPO as early as mid-April, according to a Reuters report on Thursday.

The news outlet cited one source close to the matter as saying that Shein's debut on the UK stock exchange could be completed by Easter.

Another source claimed the Chinese retailer was looking to list some time in the first half of 2025, but didn't yet have a definitive timeline, Reuters said.

The IPO, which follows Shein's failed attempt to go public on Wall Street last year on the back of political and regulatory hurdles, will require the approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority, whose head is travelling with chancellor Rachel Reeves for meetings in China at the weekend.

However, plans for a listing have received political and public backlash since they were first announced due to concerns about Shein's environmental impact and alleged human rights abuses. The company's ability to manufacturer ultra-cheap clothing at scale has resulted in claims of forced labour, along with numerous alleged labour law violations.

It is thought that Reeves' visit to Beijing could help Shein progress with its regulatory approvals in both the UK and China, with the China Securities Regulatory Commission also authorised to vet offshore listings of domestic businesses.

While Shein's headquarters moved to Singapore in 2022, the majority of its production takes place in China, and therefore gives the CSRC the power to block the listing.