Shein, a leading Chinese online fast-fashion retailer based in Nanjing, is preparing for a major initiative in 2024.
The company has confidentially filed for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission SEC.
This strategy, reported by The Wall Street Journal, involves top financial institutions like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley.
In the U.S., confidential IPO filings allow companies to work with regulators before making details public.
Typically, this information is released a few weeks before the market launch. Shein’s IPO is scheduled for 2024, a time anticipated to be ripe for capital market recovery.
This follows a period where most IPOs had underwhelming performances, with the exception of firms like Arm Holdings in the tech sector.
Valued at $66 billion in May, Shein‘s potential IPO could mark a significant milestone.
It aims to exceed the 2021 New York Stock Exchange listing of Didi, valued at $68.4 billion. Shein’s target valuation could reach up to $90 billion.
Despite geopolitical tensions and an uncertain global market, Shein has shown remarkable growth.
In 2022, it reported a record Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of $23 billion and a net profit of $800 million.
Management consultancy Heartman House projects that Shein’s GMV could reach $100 billion by 2027, even in less favorable conditions.
Shein in Brazil
In Brazil, Shein’s revenue soared to R$8 billion in 2022, a 300% increase from the previous year.
This growth stems from various factors like consumers’ reduced purchasing power and Shein’s efficient production-to-market chain.
The company’s tech investments have made its app more than just a shopping site, introducing 10,000 new products each month.
However, Shein faces growing scrutiny over tax payments and the sustainability of its production practices.
To tackle these issues, Shein is diversifying. It’s transforming into a marketplace and venturing into local production partnerships, like with Coteminas in Brazil.
Analysts from BTG have expressed concerns about the sustainability of Shein’s low prices. They warn that the company’s rapid expansion might lead to significant cash burn.
This was evident in Shein’s latest funding round, which saw a 30% drop in valuation compared to the previous year.
This shift indicates a more cautious approach to valuation in the current economic climate.
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