Online fast-fashion retailer Shein plans to list in London in the first half of the year, subject to regulatory approvals, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
One source told Reuters the initial public offering (IPO) could be completed as early as April 20, while another said the timeline remains uncertain.
Britain’s finance minister, Rachel Reeves, is scheduled to visit China on Saturday to meet Premier He Lifeng for discussions on economic and financial cooperation. According to a source, the visit could support Shein’s regulatory approval process.
The head of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), responsible for assessing IPO applications, will accompany Reeves during meetings with Chinese regulators in Beijing and Shanghai.
Shein, founded in China in 2012, moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2022 but still requires approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) due to its offshore listing rules. The CSRC introduced regulations in 2023 that allow it to vet and block overseas listings.
Shein declined to comment. The FCA stated it does not comment on potential listings, and Britain’s finance ministry did not respond to Reuters‘ inquiries. The CSRC also did not respond to questions regarding the UK visit or Shein’s IPO plans.
