Shein Files for IPO in London: Report

Controversial Chinese language-based quick vogue firm Shein quietly filed for an IPO earlier this month in London, valued at round $63 billion in accordance with a number of shops, together with the Wall Street Journal and CNBC.

The discussions are reportedly “non-public” and famous that the retailer would nonetheless choose an IPO within the U.S. however attributable to controversy and backlash surrounding its questionable labor practices by American lawmakers, the notion appears unlikely.

Shein initially tried to file for an IPO within the U.S. in November 2023 (at round a $90 billion valuation) and failed. It is famous that although the corporate filed for the IPO in London, it doesn’t imply the corporate will get it.

Associated: ‘It Is Incredibly Disheartening, Insulting, and Downright Evil’: Designers Accuse Shein of ‘Egregious’ Copyright Infringement and Racketeering

Shein is headquartered in Singapore, the place it has been since 2021, although most of its operations, together with factories, stay in China. To file for an IPO within the U.S., Shein wants permission from the Chinese language authorities.

Final 12 months, the corporate’s gross sales surpassed each Zara and H&M with $32.2 billion in gross sales, per The Verge.

Final summer season, the fast-fashion firm was sued by three vogue designers for copyright infringement, which alleged that the corporate was making actual replicas of their designs.

“It’s extremely disheartening, insulting, and downright evil to revenue off of artists with out their data or permission,” the July 2023 lawsuit acknowledged.

Another lawsuit in April 2024 alleges that Shein has been stealing designs and utilizing AI expertise to steal paintings from designers and enjoying it off as its personal.

Associated: Chinese Fashion Brand Shein To Re-Enter Indian Market: Report

In an earlier assertion to Entrepreneur, Shein denied the allegations of theft and stated the corporate plans to struggle again in opposition to the lawsuits.

“Shein takes all claims of infringement critically, and we take swift motion when complaints are raised by legitimate IP rights holders,” a spokesperson for the model informed Entrepreneur final summer season. “We’ll vigorously defend ourselves in opposition to this lawsuit and any claims which are with out benefit.”

Per Reuters, Shein was valued at barely extra at $66 billion in a fundraising spherical final month.